https://gofund.me/dc1f2a1d5

We are demanding that the Wells County Sheriff’s Department conduct a full and impartial investigation into the actions of our neighbor, who shot and killed our chocolate Labrador, Douglas, and severely wounded Tilly, our Labrador mix.

Douglas’s death shattered our family. While nothing will bring him back, an investigation is necessary to ensure accountability and to prevent this from happening to another family’s beloved pet.

My name is Elizabeth Martinez, and I live in Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana. We follow a strict routine with our dogs, including structured exercise, enrichment, and regular bathroom schedules.

Late at night on Thursday, November 7, 2024, Douglas slipped out of my partner’s hand during a routine bathroom break and ran into a wooded area on our property. Tilly, who has strong recall, followed him. We immediately tried to retrieve them.

In the early morning hours of Friday, November 8, 2024, Douglas and Tilly wandered onto a neighboring property. Instead of contacting animal control or law enforcement, our neighbor later admitted to police that he went inside his home, retrieved a rifle, and shot both dogs. Douglas was shot multiple times in the body and head and was killed. Tilly was shot in the neck but managed to escape and run home injured.

Around 7:20 to 7:30 a.m., Tilly returned home limping and collapsed from pain. She had a visible wound on her side. We rushed her to a veterinary clinic in Fort Wayne, where we were initially told the injury might not be a gunshot wound. Hoping Douglas was still alive, we transferred Tilly to Hobart Animal Clinic, where X-rays confirmed metal fragments in her neck, proving she had been shot.

Realizing Douglas was likely also shot and wounded, we alerted our family and asked the community for help locating him. Hundreds of people responded, offering leads and assistance. We searched throughout the day and night, following every tip and sighting. Unbeknownst to us, Douglas’s body was on our neighbor’s property the entire time.

More than 27 hours after the shooting, while we were still actively searching, our neighbor contacted law enforcement and admitted that he shot both dogs, claiming they were aggressive. He told deputies he killed Douglas and buried him in the woods. He also admitted to removing Douglas’s collar and tags, which contained our contact information, later claiming he “lost” them. Douglas’s body was eventually returned to us in a trash bag.

The neighbor had lawful alternatives available to him. He could have contacted animal control or law enforcement, attempted non-lethal measures, or contacted us using Douglas’s identification. He did not need to retrieve a firearm and fire multiple shots, remove identifying tags, or keep Douglas’s body on his property for more than a day.

Despite these facts, the Wells County Sheriff’s Department has refused to conduct an investigation. The Wells County Prosecutor initially indicated an investigation would take place but later reversed course. This incident raises serious concerns under Indiana Code Title 35, Article 46, Chapter 3, including potential violations related to the torture or mutilation of an animal, which constitutes a Level 6 felony. Similar cases across Indiana and other states involving the shooting of dogs on neighboring properties have resulted in investigations and criminal charges.

When the Wells County Sheriff’s Department refused to investigate the shooting of Douglas and Tilly, I was left with no choice but to seek accountability through the courts. I filed a civil lawsuit in Wells County. At the hearing, I appeared self-represented, while the shooter was represented by an attorney. Despite the facts presented, the trial court ruled in the shooter’s favor.

Because of that ruling, I hired an experienced appellate attorney from Indianapolis,  2 hours away from here who filed an appeal on April 18, 2025. On December 17, 2025, the Indiana Court of Appeals ordered this case to be argued in person, without either party requesting oral argument. This is an uncommon step in civil appeals and signals that the Court believes the legal issues raised deserve careful, in-person examination.

While oral argument is not a guarantee of reversal, it matters. It means this case is being taken seriously, and it means that Douglas and Tilly’s story will finally be heard.

This legal fight has come at a significant emotional and financial cost. If you would like to support our efforts, I have created a GoFundMe to help cover legal expenses. Donations are entirely optional, and signing and sharing this petition remains just as important.

Animal cruelty is widely recognized as a warning sign of future violence. The Humane Society of the United States and the FBI both acknowledge the link between cruelty to animals and violence toward people. The FBI now classifies animal cruelty as a Group A offense under its National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Douglas and Tilly deserved protection, not bullets.

Thank you to everyone who has stood with us, spoken up for Douglas and Tilly, and helped ensure their story is not ignored. 🐾🐾