TONY LEE HUGHES arrested on accusations of stabbing a helpless dog multiple times who then had to be euthanized

- Indiana, USA -

The Portage Police Department arrested 38-year-old TONY LEE HUGHES (pictured).

According to police, just after 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026, officers were called to the 600 block of Camelot Manor for a report of a dog who was being stabbed.

Responding officers spoke with a couple and learned that the pair were inside their home when they heard a dog crying loudly so they went outside to see what was going on. The couple told police they saw HUGHES above a Husky, stabbing the dog multiple times.

The couple told officers the furvictim was unable to escape due to being tied to a stairwell.

According to the couple, when they confronted HUGHES, he ran back inside his home with the knife. Many of the neighbors then gathered at HUGHES’ home.

The couple further told police that the dog was not showing any signs of aggressive behavior.

Officers made contact with HUGHES and when they searched him, they found on him homemade knives and marijuana.

HUGHES was questioned about the incident but he was inconsistent and provided different versions of the facts.

HUGHES first claimed that the dog bit him on the right arm, so he stabbed the furvictim “four to five times.” However, officers did not find any bite marks on his arm to corroborate his claim and the shirt that HUGHES was wearing was intact.

HUGHES then claimed that someone gave him the dog at Dollar General nearby. HUGHES went on to claim that he went to a gas station to see if the dog’s guardian showed up, and when he let the dog off the leash, the furvictim followed him home.

The dog was rushed to an animal hospital and was scanned for a microchip. Staff were able to contact the dog’s family who identified the furvictim as a 2-year-old named Shadow. Medical staff reported that Shadow had suffered ten stab wounds so Shadow’s family sadly authorized euthanasia.

Officers confirmed that Shadow was not an aggressive dog at all.

HUGHES was arrested and charged with killing a domestic animal, torturing or mutilating an animal, possession of paraphernalia, and unlawful possession or use of a legend drug.

He was booked into the Porter County Jail and bond was set at $3,000. Court records show that HUGHES appeared in Porter County Superior Court on June 11, 2026, and is due back on September 18, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Michael A. Fish.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mugshot shared from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office.

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