Volunteer warned shelter days before Butler rescue took dog allegedly killed by its operator

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WPTA) - An Indianapolis Animal Care Services volunteer raised concerns about a Butler rescue taking multiple dogs from the shelter four days before one of those dogs was transferred to its operator, according to an email obtained by 21Investigates.

DeKalb County authorities allege that operator, Kayla Dillenburg, later strangled the dog, named Motley. Dillenburg is charged with animal torture and fraud and has pleaded not guilty.

In the April 24 email to shelter management, volunteer Ren Hall wrote as a “concerned member of the public.” She questioned how quickly Dillenburg’s “Welcome Home Canine Rescue” was taking dogs from the Indianapolis shelter.

“It is worrisome that what appears to be a brand new rescue is pulling large quantities of dogs,” Hall wrote. “I’m just stating plainly that there are several potential red flags here. The rescue is not close to IACS, they are brand new; they are intaking large amounts of animals without documented support from their community.”

“Please consider putting limits on how many animals a new rescue can acquire from IACS, and please consider putting limits on the amount of animals being sent to rescues outside of Marion County,” her email continued.

Hall told 21Investigates she hoped the shelter would pause. She said she did not receive a response to her initial email.

“When I sent that email, I was hoping that they would stop,” Hall said. “Basically, I think of it as pumping the brakes.”

Four days later, on April 28, Motley left the shelter and was placed with Dillenburg. According to court documents and earlier 21Alive reporting, records show he died and was taken for cremation that same day.

“I would love to have been wrong with my concerns,” Hall said. “I don’t want to be right about that.”

What the shelter says

21Investigates asked Indianapolis Animal Care Services whether it received Hall’s email and whether it took any immediate action in response. The shelter has not answered those questions.

In an earlier written statement to 21Alive, IACS said it followed its standard verification process before approving “Welcome Home Canine Rescue” on April 18.

The shelter said it reviewed documentation of the rescue’s nonprofit status, veterinary information and Indiana court records, and obtained a signed agreement. It said it found no red flags under its established process at the time of approval.

IACS said it later began checking on the animals after concerns surfaced. The shelter said Dillenburg was not permitted to take additional dogs after April 29, and that she notified the shelter on May 3 that Motley had died while being treated for pneumonia.

Hall said she wants the shelter to strengthen its policies, including a probationary period limiting how many animals a new rescue can take. She also wants follow-up checks on veterinary care and placements, and a formal complaint process that could pause transfers while concerns are reviewed.

“I would actually really, really, really love to help the shelter evaluate what went wrong here and what has gone wrong in other situations like this before. I would love to help them in any way to make sure that this never happens again,” Hall said.

The case and the other dogs

According to the probable cause affidavit, Dillenburg told investigators Motley died of pneumonia at her home. The affidavit also describes a recorded conversation in which investigators say Dillenburg said, “I’ll just be honest, I choked that dog out.”

In its October reporting, 21Alive reported that Dillenburg had pleaded not guilty and was released on her own recognizance. Her next court appearance was scheduled for Jan. 5, according to court records.

Questions also remain about some of the other dogs. IACS says it transferred 20 dogs to Dillenburg; the probable cause affidavit cites 21.

The shelter said it verified in May that four dogs were at another rescue and three were at a veterinary clinic. It said Dillenburg provided photos of two dogs she said were in her care and reported that a mother dog and her puppies had gone to another rescue, which she did not identify.

21Investigates has asked the shelter for a current accounting of the dogs but has not received an answer. A DeKalb County investigator says the case remains under investigation.