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

- 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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