A tragic and disturbing case unfolded in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a man allegedly stole and killed a woman’s 10-year-old pug after she told him she no longer wanted to see him.
On January 5, 2024, police were called to a home in Butler County to investigate a burglary. When officers arrived, the woman living there reported that nothing was missing—except her dog.
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She explained to police that the day before, she had ended her friendship with a man named Joseph Hillard, whom she had met on a dating app. She told him she no longer wanted to see him because he made her uncomfortable, and she was aware that he suffered from mental health issues.
A little over a week later, police followed a lead to a home on Woodridge Road, where they spoke with Hillard’s parents. While they acknowledged their son’s mental health struggles and believed he was capable of stealing the dog, they said they had no reason to think he had actually done it.
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Detectives soon learned that Hillard had been staying with someone at a home in Slippery Rock. When they arrived, he was there, but the dog was not. Hillard denied any involvement, and without enough evidence, the investigation stalled.
Over a year passed without answers. Then, on January 25, 2025, Hillard shocked authorities by walking into the Butler City Police Station and confessing. He admitted that he broke into the victim’s home, stole her pug, and later killed it.
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According to the criminal complaint, Hillard initially wanted to return the dog, but instead, he “started hitting it with rage” before ultimately taking it to the woods and killing it.
Before leaving the police station, Hillard requested that officers inform the victim that he was the one responsible. In his written confession, he also expressed “apologies and condolences” to the woman and her family.
Four days later, police arrested Hillard and charged him with:
Burglary
Aggravated cruelty to animals
Tampering with evidence
Theft of a movable item
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This case has sparked outrage and grief in the local community, raising concerns about animal cruelty laws and the need for stronger protections for pets. Authorities continue to investigate as Hillard awaits trial.
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