‘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