1 of 3 dogs tied to railroad tracks and left to die survives in Tremont

CLEVELAND - Three dogs were tied to the CSX railroad tracks last week in Tremont and left to die, but one survived. Cleveland police now need your help finding the person responsible.

Sadly, two of the dogs were killed by trains, but authorities said a small pup survived by hunching down when the train passed over.

According to Cleveland police, a CSX bridge monitor found the dog alive Friday morning and called police. The other dogs were discovered dead in the same area near University and Scranton Road by the railroad monitor.

Police said the worker watched from a distance as a man tied the dog who survived to the tracks and took pictures of the animal.

The man disappeared when the train passed, so the worker didn't get a chance to confront him.

In the 22 years of working at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter, director Lesley DeSouza has never seen anything like this. To her, it's like a page out of the beginning stages of a serial killer's life.

"It's a proven fact that people who do this to dogs, usually graduate to human beings and that's sad. It's a scary thing to have somebody out there doing this."

DeSouza believes the animal's survival instincts kicked in as it realized the danger coming its way.

"She, for some reason, got between the railroad tracks and ducked down so she didn't get hit by the train."

When Ed Kotecki III, owner of Kotecki Family Memorials, and his son heard about the horrific animal abuse, they knew they had to do something to help. So, they're offering a $3,000 reward to track down the dog killer.

"People of that mentality do start teasing animals, eventually hurting them, killing them. Then, they move on to more dramatic targets," thinks Kotecki.

"It is very important for the community or someone who's seen it to come forward and put this to rest before it's worse than an animal," said Kotecki's son.

Although the surviving pooch isn't ready for adoption yet, DeSouza said she deserves a great home.

"She's been through enough. She needs a yard and she needs a nice family. She's very healthy and happy. We've given her her first rounds of meds and she's doing fine."

If the dog was stolen and left to die, tied to the train tracks, DeSouza hopes the owners will step forward.

Stringent guidelines for adopting the puppy will be put in place to make sure the dog's new owners will give her a fantastic, loving home.

Meanwhile, PETA is also offering up to a $5,000 reward to help bring the animal abuser to justice, and the Humane Society of the United States is offering a $2,500 reward.

Police have asked Tremont residents to help them catch the suspect. If you see suspicious activity near the railroad tracks, call police at 216-623-5200.