‘I choked that dog out’: Rescue operator charged with felony animal torture

BUTLER, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News) - An Indiana woman who operated an animal rescue is facing criminal charges.

Butler authorities say Kayla Dillenburg, 30, strangled a dog she pulled from an Indianapolis shelter, profited from donor pledges meant for its care, and admitted to the killing on a recorded phone call.

Dillenburg, who operated Welcome Home Canine Rescue out of her residence, has been charged with torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal, a felony, and fraud.

Court documents stated Dillenburg pulled 21 dogs from Indianapolis Animal Care Services over a 10-day period in late April.

Investigators allege she targeted animals carrying high financial pledges raised by social media donors trying to save shelter pets from euthanasia.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officer Erika Hedge, the investigation began in May after an IACS volunteer rescue coordinator raised concerns that dogs transferred to Dillenburg had gone missing and her rescue’s social media accounts were taken offline.

Authorities said the criminal charges center on a dog named Motley. According to court documents, he was scheduled for rescue and had $925 in public pledges.

Investigators said Dillenburg picked Motley up from Indianapolis on April 28, but records showed Motley died and was dropped off for cremation that same day.

Court documents stated Dillenburg told an Indianapolis donor that Motley was alive and had an approved adoption lined up.

However, investigators concluded Dillenburg deceived the donor into paying for care after the animal was already dead.

Court documents stated Dillenburg claimed Motley died at her home of pneumonia and denied euthanizing him.

Investigators contacted a former friend of Dillenburg. That friend told deputies that Dillenburg approached her in April with a scheme to make money by pulling dogs with high pledges from Indianapolis.

Investigators obtained a recorded phone call between Dillenburg and the friend in which they say she admitted that she “choked that dog out” after claiming he went after her child.

Officer Hedge outlined the basis for the felony and misdemeanor charges:

“I believe Kayla Dillenburg has knowingly, intentionally, and recklessly tortured and/or mutilated a dog in her care because, by her own admission, as stated in a recorded conversation, she strangled Motley to death.

Kayla told the public that Motley died from pneumonia, but there was no record of Kayla providing him medical care or a diagnosis ... I believe Kayla has knowingly and intentionally committed fraud by obtaining dogs from Indianapolis Animal Care and Control for the sole purpose of making a profit off their pledges.”

While the criminal affidavit directly addresses Motley’s death, animal welfare advocates and volunteers still have questions about the other animals Dillenburg allegedly acquired.

Court records confirm that IACS received paperwork for only four of the 21 dogs.

Dillenburg told police that a mother dog and her puppies were placed with a rescue in Michigan, but investigators noted she never produced paperwork or proof to verify the claim.

Officer Hedge said she could not comment on the status of the remaining animals because the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Hedge added that she has received numerous calls from additional people coming forward with information as news of the charges continued.

Court records showed Dillenburg appeared before a judge on Friday. She entered a plea of not guilty, and a public defender was appointed to represent her.

Dillenburg was released on her own recognizance and scheduled to appear in court again in January 2027.