P-J photo by Eric Tichy

A pit bull found hanging by its leash in a wooded area in the city of Jamestown has drawn the ire of local officials and the community. Now police want to know who the dog belongs to and what happened following the “intentional act” of animal cruelty.

Jamestown police were alerted after the pit bull was discovered around 7:45 p.m. Monday in a wooded area off Hallock and Palmer streets. The dog — brown and white in color — was so badly decomposed the sex could not be determined.

Capt. Robert Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department said officers were trying to identify the dog’s owner and piece together why the animal was hanged in a tree by a red leash and nylon rope. Though no motive was immediately clear, Samuelson said the act was likely deliberate.

“This appears to be an intentional act, not an accident, which is why we’re treating this as a serious crime,” Samuelson told The Post-Journal. “It’s truly disgusting, and we’re hoping to find whoever is responsible. It’s important that anyone who may know what happened to please call us.”

Samuelson said the dog may have been in the woods for up to a week by the time it was found. The pit bull was not wearing a collar and did not have any identifiable tags.

Among local officials who expressed outrage at the incident was County Executive George Borrello, who last month proposed a county local law that would establish a animal abuse registry. The local law was tabled by the county Legislature last month.

Borrello said he hopes police find the “despicable human being” that killed the dog.

“Anyone who could do this has evil in their heart and is capable of far worse,” Borrello told The Post-Journal.

The county executive said he has never seen this level of animal cruelty before in the county. He hopes the registry, if enacted this month, can keep animal owners from committing similar crimes.

Under the local law, those convicted of animal abuse would be put on the list and thus not be able to legally own an animal again.

“It is my hope it will prevent future incidents like this,” Borrello said.

While not involved in the investigation, the Chautauqua County Humane Society said it received numerous calls after the dog was discovered.

“Obviously, we’re appalled,” said Kellie Roberts, humane society executive director.

The local humane society does not employ an officer or conduct investigations regarding incidents similar to the hanging. Roberts said the nonprofit typically handles animals that are found or surrendered following an abusive incident.

Roberts said the killing could be attributed to a variety of reasons, including an owner with a bad temper, a stolen dog or a vindictive killing.

“I have not heard of a (dog hanging) around here,” Roberts said. “It’s pretty disturbing.”

Anyone with information regarding the animal cruelty case is asked to call Jamestown police at 483-7537 or 483-TIPS (8477).

Katrina Fuller and Jordan Patterson contributed to this story.