Rescue operator charged in dog killing

A 30-year-old woman who ran an animal rescue from her home in Butler, Indiana, has been charged with felony animal torture and fraud. Authorities say Kayla Dillenburg strangled a dog named Motley and collected money from donors who believed he was alive.

Butler police say Dillenburg pulled 21 dogs from Indianapolis Animal Care Services over 10 days in late April. Investigators allege she chose animals that had raised large sums of money through social media campaigns to prevent euthanasia. The charges focus on Motley, who had $925 in public pledges. Dillenburg picked him up from Indianapolis on April 28. Records show he died and was sent for cremation that same day.

The investigation started in May after a volunteer coordinator for Indianapolis Animal Care Services noticed dogs transferred to Dillenburg had disappeared. The rescue's social media accounts were also taken offline. DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Officer Erika Hedge filed the affidavit of probable cause. She stated Dillenburg told a donor that Motley was alive and had an approved adoption. Investigators concluded she deceived the donor into paying for care after the dog was already dead.

Dillenburg told police Motley died at her home of pneumonia. She denied euthanizing him. Investigators spoke to a former friend who said Dillenburg approached her in April with a plan to profit from high-pledge dogs. On a recorded phone call, Dillenburg told the friend she "choked that dog out" after claiming Motley went after her child. Officer Hedge noted there was no record of medical care or a diagnosis for pneumonia.

Hedge outlined the basis for the charges in court documents. She said Dillenburg knowingly and intentionally tortured Motley. Hedge also said Dillenburg committed fraud by obtaining dogs from Indianapolis solely to make a profit from their pledges. The affidavit specifically addresses Motley's death. However, questions remain about the other 20 dogs Dillenburg acquired. Court records show Indianapolis Animal Care Services only received paperwork for four of the 21 animals.

Dillenburg told police a mother dog and her puppies were placed with a rescue in Michigan. Investigators noted she never produced paperwork to verify that claim. Hedge said she could not comment on the status of the remaining animals because the investigation is still active. She added that she has received calls from additional people with information since the news broke.

Dillenburg appeared before a judge on Friday. She entered a plea of not guilty. A public defender was appointed to represent her. She was released on her own recognizance. Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 2027.