Woman Reported a Dead Dog in a Tote with a Chemical Smell. Police Then Uncovered a Disturbing Story By Christine Pelisek

An Indiana woman is facing a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge after her dog was allegedly found dead in a tote bag.

Kiley Dodd was arrested on Monday. Sept. 29, according to court records.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Beech Grove police officers responded to an animal investigation in the 200 block of South 6th Avenue after a caller reported that someone “placed a dead dog in a tote, poured chemicals on it and left the tote at her work.”

At the scene, officers found the dog inside the tote “covered in some type of chemical and maggots,” per the affidavit.

Dodd told officers she found the blue tote near her vehicle when she got off work at 7:30 p.m. She alleged she opened the tote and found her dog inside.

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She also alleged she found a note on the bag — which she later allegedly claimed she lost — that read, “For Kiley, here’s your dog.”

Officers contacted the person Dodd claimed placed the dog in the tote, but the person said the last time they saw Dodd or the dog was six months earlier.

Officers spoke with Dodd again and “made it clear it was known that she was lying about the care and custody of the dog,” according to the affidavit.

Dodd allegedly then told officers that “the dog just died,” and she did not know how.

She told officers she was not at home every night.

“Dodd was periodically coming and checking on the dog,” according to the affidavit. “Allegedly, last Friday when she went to the apartment, she arrived to find her deceased dog (Maze).”

She then allegedly wrapped the dog in a blanket, placed it in the tote bag and looked for “someone to bury her,” per the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Dodd “acted on this incident alone.”

She is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 17.