3 people plead guilty to hanging and death of adopted dog in 2022

INDIANAPOLIS — Three people have pleaded guilty to hanging and stabbing to death a dog that was adopted from Indianapolis Animal Services in 2022.

The Pit Bull Terrier named Deron entered the IACS on June 29, 2022, as an owner. He was adopted by 19-year-old Zech Thomsen, along with three others, on July 28, 2022.

On August 6, 2022, IMPD received reports of a dog bleeding while being suffocated in the 700 block of Bosart Avenue.

When officers arrived, they located four adults, including one sweeping the porch and another holding a bucket of water.

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Police said when an officer attempted to question one of the people on the porch, identified as Sierra Makin, 20, she slammed the door to the residence. The officer opened the door again, grabbed his arm and told him to turn around.

Police say she then punched the officer in the face. Tomsen later punched a second officer in the back of the head.

Deron was later found dead in a trash bag with a leash wrapped tightly around his neck. He had several lacerations on his body, according to court documents.

A witness later told police he saw the dog barking at Thomsen, who had a knife in his hand. The witness did not see Thomsen stab the dog, but saw him choke the dog and wrap the leash around the dog's neck.

Police later said doorbell camera video captured Thomsen saying “Where's the knife, someone get me a knife?” and “I’m going to put that dog down.”

A second man, Clifford Massey, is seen helping Thomsen carry the dog to the trash can and put it inside.

Thomsen is charged with the following:

• Torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal
• Battery against a public safety officer
• Obstruction of justice
• Resisting law enforcement

He will spend two and a half years in prison for Deron's murder, in addition to 27 years in prison for an unrelated murder charge.
Makin was sentenced to three years in prison, one year of which was suspended. She was charged with the following:

• Battery causing bodily injury to a public safety officer
• Obstruction of justice
• Resisting law enforcement

Massey was charged with torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal and obstruction of justice. He will have a plea hearing on June 20.
A fourth person, Denita Lynn Hughes, was charged with obstruction of justice and sentenced to 304 days of probation and a $100 fine.

“Deron received justice for his horrific death,” said Doll Stanley, senior animal rights campaigner. “I thank the supporters of In Defense of Animals who have demanded tough sentences to deter animal abuse. People who harm animals pose a danger to society as a whole.