Police: Neighbors deliberately killed noisy puppy in animal trap - Fox 2 News Headlines

Home video shows 1-year-old Pearl during happier times before Hebron police say the puppy died Saturday morning in a wildlife trap set in Cheryl Alt's backyard.

"When I checked on her some type of torture device on her head and I ran to call the police right away," said Alt.

Officer Casey Robinson says the dog was dead when he arrived to Alt's home.

"When I approached the animal it was laying on the ground, its neck was contorted and it had a steel animal trap which you would normally use for catching gophers, foxes, coyotes, just rodents," said Robinson.

Alt says Pearl is a Canaan, an ancient breed from Israel - a breed known for its loving personality.

Detectives believe the suspect deliberately set a rusty coiled metal trap with bait in broad daylight to silence the barking puppy after at least six months of complaints. Officer Robinson says a neighbor could be responsible for the dog's death.

"We think that it is possible that somebody in the area... we have had multiple complaints to this house about this dog in the past. The owner had a tendency to leave it out late at night or very early in the morning when people are still trying to sleep. I had warned her multiple times about it but I did advise her that during the day there shouldn't be an issue," said Robinson.

Fighting through tears, Alt says the family was in the process of training the puppy which she admits was a challenge but they never imagined this.

"I know a lot of people didn't like when she barked or whined at night but I don't think that was an excuse for somebody to do something like that," said 12-year-old Ammie Roll.

"I would like to tell people to really pay attention because your backyard is not the sanctuary you think it is," said Alt.

Hebron Police say the suspect faces a felony charge of animal cruelty and are asking anyone with information to call detectives at 219-996-2747.