Man, dog recovering after Monongahela shooting
A man and his pit bull are recovering after they were found shot in a burning Monongahela home Saturday afternoon.
Charles Sleith, 51, was flown by medical helicopter to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh for surgery and treatment, according to state police Trooper Robert Broadwater. He said the results of the surgery and his condition were not yet known Monday. Police have not yet been able to interview Sleith.
State police are continuing their investigation to determine what events led up to the shooting, and whether the shooting was self-inflicted. Police found a gun on the scene at the Yohe Street house, but have not yet determined if it was the weapon used in the shooting, according to Trooper Robert Broadwater. He said these determinations will likely take time. The evidence was sent to the state police crime lab for testing.
Monongahela Fire Department arrived first at the scene at about 1 p.m. when they were called for a fire. They quickly extinguished the fire in the basement and found Sleith upstairs with a gunshot wound to his chest. The dog, Felonie, was also found with a gunshot wound.
Sleith is expected to survive. Broadwater said Sleith is a renter at the Yohe Street residence.
The dog underwent surgery at a veterinary clinic and also is expected to recover.
Family set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the dog’s surgery. As of Monday afternoon, the online fundraiser had raised $2,120 of its $5,000 goal.