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ERIK VONDALE MCCLINTON JR arrested after viral video showed a dog in distress on the back of a speeding trailer

- Indiana, USA -


On February 11, 2025, the Indiana State Police were alerted to a Facebook post about an SUV traveling eastbound on I-80/94 from the Illinois state line that was pulling an open utility trailer with a cage and a dog inside who appeared to be in distress.


Police said that the cage was not strapped down and the vehicle was traveling at 70 to 80 miles per hour. According to police, the outside temperature at the time was approximately 26 degrees with windchills below that temperature.


Thankfully, a good Samaritan noticed the vehicle and being concerned about the dog’s condition, he called 911.


After a local reporter sent the Facebook post to the Indiana State Police Lowell Post, the post was forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division and a detective immediately launched an investigation in an effort to locate the dog and the owner of the vehicle.


The detective found the dog, named Midnight, at a residence in Gary.


According to the press release by the Indiana State Police, Midnight “appeared to have been abandoned near a residence where the owner of the suspect vehicle had previously resided.”


An ISP K9 handler who was off duty was luckily in the area and he was able to gain Midnight’s trust resulting in her successful rescue.


Later that evening, the owner of the vehicle was identified as 37-year-old ERIK VONDALE MCCLINTON JR (pictured) and was interviewed by detectives.


On February 12, 2025, animal cruelty charges against MCCLINTON were then submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor's Office for review.


After being rescued, Midnight was first taken to the Hobart Humane Society and then moved to the Gary Animal Control Facility. Midnight is currently receiving much needed care in a foster home.


After the Prosecutor’s Office approved the charges against MCCLINTON, a warrant was issued for his arrest and on February 13, 2025, MCCLINTON was taken into custody.


Reportedly, MCCLINTON told investigators that he put Midnight at the back because he had puppies inside the vehicle and added that he had put a blanket on the cage but the wind must have blown it away.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Indiana State Police. 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.





 
 
 

SARA ROSE WALK arrested on animal cruelty charges in Marshall County

- Indiana, USA -


The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of 45-year-old SARA ROSE WALK (pictured).


According to an extremely brief Facebook post by the Department, on December 14, 2024, deputies were called to a home in the 1000 block of Juniper Road on reports of animal abuse.


Deputies placed WALK under arrest after evidence of animal abuse was found. WALK was transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked on felony animal cruelty charges.

At the time of writing, records show that WALK was released after posting a $1,505 bond.


The sheriff’s department did not release any further information on the nature of the charges. I have emailed Marshall County Sheriff Mathew Hassel and requested additional information. If I get a response, I will post an update.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from a media release by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. 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.


WALK’s mugshot shared from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department






 
 
 

JAMES PATRICK MINARD struck a dog with a shovel-The dog was shot by an officer to end his suffering

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

- Indiana, USA -


~ Update: October 30, 2024

 

MINARD appeared in court today via video. A not guilty plea was automatically entered on his behalf.  He is scheduled for an appearance with his attorney on November 12, 2024. Bond remains as previously set.

 

~Original story: 


The Terre Haute Police Department announced the arrest of 52-year-old JAMES PATRICK MINARD (pictured).

 

According to the affidavit obtained by Voice For Us, on the early evening of Sunday, October 27, 2024, Patrolman Hooks was dispatched to a residence on 2228 Chase Street in reference to a report regarding an animal cruelty incident.

 

Upon arrival, bystanders pointed Patrolman Hooks to the back of the residence where he was met by MINARD.

 

When Patrolman Hooks became aware that a dog was in the shed, he asked MINARD whether he could enter, and MINARD gave his consent.

 

In the shed, Patrolman Hooks found a 10-year-old Bulldog named Melvin who was “having difficulty breathing and had thrown up in its immediate vicinity”, stated the affidavit.

Moreover, Melvin had a bleeding contusion on the top of his head.

 

Patrolman Hooks spoke with a woman whose daughter, a 7th Grade student, witnessed MINARD striking Melvin repeatedly with a shovel on his head.

 

From statements provided by witnesses to other officers, “it was learned that Melvin only had two teeth left on his bottom jaw, and had never shown signs of aggression to them.”

 

After interviewing multiple witnesses and following an initial interview with MINARD, he was placed under arrest.

Patrolman Hooks read the scum his Miranda Rights and then asked him what happened.

 

MINARD claimed he was taking a food bowl away from Melvin when Melvin began to show signs of aggression. MINARD added that Melvin then attacked him by biting him on his left lower leg, and his right upper thigh. However, Patrolman Hooks reported that there were no new injuries on MINARD on the areas where Melvin allegedly bit him.

 

MINARD went on to say that at that point he grabbed a shovel, struck Melvin on his head and then put him in the shed.

 

MINARD then gave different statements of the facts. He first claimed that he was going to call the vet, then he said he was going to call the property owner.

 

The shovel used to strike Melvin was found on the ground next to the shed, and it had “what appeared to be blood on the back of it.”

 

Patrolman Hooks then learned that Melvin’s guardian was a lady whom I will refer to as SK.

SK was advised of the incident and Melvin’s condition and she “consented to officers putting Melvin down to ease his suffering.”

 

Melvin was not taken to a veterinarian to be humanely euthanized, instead, according to the affidavit, patrolman Hayne “fired a single round into Melvin which resulted in Melvin[‘]s immediate death.”

 

SK’s granddaughter took custody of Melvin's body with the intention of burying him on the property.

 

The Vigo County prosecutor’s Office tells me that MINARD is scheduled to appear in Vigo Superior Court, Division 6 tomorrow (October 30, 2024) at 1:30 p.m. for his arraignment on his formal charges.

 

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Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the arrest affidavit provided to Voice For Us. 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.

 

MINARD’s mugshot shared from the Vigo County Sheriff's Office




 
 
 

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