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Arnold woman accused of shooting, killing her dog

Westmoreland County woman accused of shooting, killing dog
Westmoreland County woman accused of shooting, killing dog 02:25

ARNOLD, Pa. (KDKA) -- A Westmoreland County woman is accused of shooting and killing her dog less than two months after adopting him. 

Orphans of the Storm said Waylon, a young hound mix who was adopted April 30, was allegedly shot by his owner, 49-year-old Susan Mullenax of Arnold, on Sunday.

According to police paperwork, a friend of Mullenax walked into the Arnold police station and reported that she had called him and said she had shot and killed her dog.

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Susan Mullenax of Arnold is accused of shooting and killing Waylon, a young hound mix, less than two months after adopting him.  (Photo: Orphans of the Storm)

When police arrived at the Alcoa Drive home, Mullenax allegedly directed them to her garage where they found the deceased dog with gunshot wounds in a trash bag. They also recovered a firearm inside the home with four spent casings.

Mullenax was arrested immediately. 

Orphans of the Storm said everyone adopting animals from their shelter undergoes a strict screening process, and Waylon's adoption didn't raise any red flags. 

The agency even had several phone conversations with Mullenax since the adoption and said everything seemed to be going well. 

"Nothing that would have drawn attention that this dog should have been returned or it wasn't going to be a success. She wanted to do everything she could to make it a success," said Bethann Galbraith with Orphans of the Storm. 

The shelter said the staff described Waylon as friendly, affectionate and playful. The volunteers remembered that he loved getting attention and going on long walks. 

Mullenax was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 22.

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