Man charged for stealing and killing dog
Butler police have charged a man with two felonies and two misdemeanors after they say he admitted to stealing and killing a woman’s dog.
Joseph Winters Hillard, 28, of Butler, was charged last week with one felony count each of burglary and aggravated cruelty to animals and one misdemeanor count each of tampering with evidence and theft of movable item.
The official charges against Hillard were available Monday, Feb. 3, as they were pending review by an officer Friday evening.
Police said Hillard confessed at the station on Jan. 25 to stealing and killing an ex-girlfriend’s pug and was arrested Jan. 29. The alleged ex-girlfriend says the two never dated.
Police said Hillard took and killed the dog Jan. 5, 2024. Hillard turned himself in after feeling guilty, according to the affidavit. He’s being held in the Butler County Prison on a $100,000 bond.
