IMPD: Teenager Arrested for Shooting and Killing Dog

Source: Thinkstock/Evgeny Prozhyrko

INDIANAPOLIS–A 17-year-old boy is accused of shooting and killing a dog on the northeast side of Indianapolis on January 23, 2025.

In a post on social media, IMPD said the nuisance and abatement unit (NAU) was contacted by the Indianapolis Animal Care Services after hearing about a dog being shot and killed in the 3700 block of Hillside Avenue. That’s near the intersection of 38th street and N. Keystone Avenue.

Officers say they found out the boy had shot and killed the dog in the middle of the day. They also say they have evidence to believe the dog did not belong to the boy and the dog was not “displaying any aggressive behavior at the time of the shooting.”

“A Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputy was nearby when this occurred and spoke to both neighbors and the suspect, who was later found to have given a false name at the time,” the social media post said.

IMPD says they found the boy on Tuesday January 28 in the 3600 block of Baltimore Avenue. That’s less than a half mile away from where the shooting happened.

“While detaining him, officers observed a handgun with a large capacity magazine protruding from his pocket. Detectives believe that firearm was the one used to shoot the dog. The firearm was also found to have been reported stolen,” the post continued.

The 17-year-old is charged with the following:

• Dangerous possession of a firearm
• Criminal recklessness
• Torture or mutilation of a domestic animal; Killing a domestic animal
• False identity statement

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) will make the final charging decision.