INDIANAPOLIS — A man faces animal cruelty and torture charges after police say he told them he set his dog on fire.
Two people looking at a vacant building found the pit bull inside a bathroom on March 15. The dog, which had burns on its face, feet and sides, was taken to a shelter but died on March 16 from its injuries.
The affidavit says tips called into Crime Stoppers identified Dustin Mitchell as the dog's owner. Mitchell told police he loved the dog but couldn't control it from biting him. He later cried when police told him the dog had been burned and died.
The affidavit says Mitchell confessed to setting the dog on fire by squirting a bottle of charcoal lighter fluid and then kicking a lit grill onto the dog.
After putting the dog in a crate, Mitchell said he threw water on the dog to put out the fire and then opened the crate. The dog ran away.
Mitchell denied putting the dog in the vacant building bathroom or locking it inside.
Online court records show an initial court hearing for Mitchell is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
-
Indiana tornado drill prepares schools, agencies as severe storms loom
Indiana’s statewide tornado drill on Tuesday morning gave schools and emergency agencies a chance to practice their response.
Revitalization project aims to turn northeast side park into community hub
An $800K revitalization project is hoping to transform Doris Cowherd Park on Indy's northeast side into a community hub for residents across the community.
Indianapolis students bring home free books thanks to community partnership
Students at Washington Irving Neighborhood School filled their backpacks with five free books to take home, thanks to a community partnership aimed at building home libraries.
Indy DPW begins higher effectiveness pothole repair
Indianapolis Department of Public Works crews worked to patch potholes along Arlington Avenue and across the city on Tuesday.
