SALEM -- A Salem man was arrested for letting his dog kill a rabbit in a city park, a death followed by the taunting of a traumatized child.
Luke Kishpaugh, 33, of Salem was arrested for first-degree aggravated animal abuse and first-degree animal abuse.
The incident took place May 27th in Woodmansee Park.
Police interviewed witnesses who said that Kishpaugh brought his Doberman Pincer to the park, letting it out of a car without a leash and scaring four girls.
Four young girls had been watching a bunny in a wooded area near the park as it played in the grass.
Kishpaugh took his dog away, then returned to where the children were still watching the rabbit. The mother of one of the girls told police that Kishpaugh then got a "smirk" on his face as he ordered his dog to "get it."
The dog caught the rabbit, tossed it into the air and toyed with it. Witnesses said Kishpaugh started laughing.
The children started to cry and Kishpaugh called the dog off, then once again told the dog "get it." This time, the rabbit died.
In the parking lot, witnesses told police that he taunted a 3-year-old girl, then praised his dog.
The killing was reported to police a day later and police arrested Kishpaugh at his home. In addition to the animal abuse allegations, he has been excluded from any Salem city park.
