Staff Report

Christopher Michael Miller

PIERCETON — A Pierceton man was recently arrested after one of two dogs suffering from starvation in his care died.

Christopher Michael Miller, 22, 3104 E. Wooster Road Lot 2, Pierceton, is charged with two counts of cruelty to an animal, both class A misdemeanors.

On Nov. 9, 2021, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a man who was concerned about Miller and Miller’s two dogs. The man told dispatch he had not seen Miller in days and could not hear the dogs barking inside Miller’s home. He also said there was a foul smell coming from the residence.

Four KCSO deputies went to the home and spoke with other concerned neighbors. One of the deputies went to the residence on Sept. 29, 2021, regarding a concern for one of the dogs. On that day, the deputy found a German shepherd-type dog on a tether outside of the home.

According to court documents, the dog, which had a nice disposition and appeared healthy at that time, had spilled its water. The deputy gave the dog fresh water and left a note at the home asking the dog’s owner to contact police. Officers never received a call from Miller.

Neighbors told officers there were two dogs inside the home, including the German shepherd type mix and a Dalmatian. They also said Miller had been evicted but had seen him breaking into the home on a couple occasions in the last few weeks.

While looking through the home’s windows, the deputy saw the German shepherd and could tell he was extremely malnourished and appeared to be suffering from starvation. The deputy removed an air conditioner from one of the home’s windows and noticed the German Shepherd was confined to one room, which was littered with garbage.

One of the neighbors offered to climb into the home and help retrieve the German shepherd. The Dalmatian, who was also in the room was deceased. A deputy and one of the neighbors walked the other dog to the Animal Welfare League.

There did not appear to be any food or water in the room.

AWL’s executive director told officers that Miller worked at AWL for a very short time. She said that when she became director, his employment was terminated.

Miller adopted the Dalmatian from the AWL on May 11, 2021. The executive director said AWL staff were very upset about the Dalmatian’s death.

Miller was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on June 3, 2022, with a $500 cash bond.