Hoosier Enquirer Asks Mayor Ridenour for Independent Review After Muncie Officer Turns Off Body Camera, Shoots Dog Five Times

Muncie Police Officer shoots family dog 5 times after he turned off his body camera.

By Hoosier Enquirer Team

October 21, 2026

MUNCIE — Hoosier Enquirer has formally asked Mayor Dan Ridenour to direct the Muncie Police Department to preserve all evidence and ensure an independent review of an October 16 incident in which Officer Michael E. Skinner (Badge #2101) deactivated his body-worn camera before firing approximately five rounds at a one-year-old dog named Memphis.

The letter, sent October 21 to the Mayor’s office (via agreene@muncie.in.gov) and copied to Muncie Police Professional Standards (Capt. Ryan Trissel) and Chief Nathan Sloan, follows a formal criminal investigation request filed the previous day with Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney Eric M. Hoffman. It concerns Case #2026-00041798, logged solely as an “Animal Incident” and explicitly noted as “Not a use-of-force. Not an officer-involved shooting.”

Officer’s Account and Missing Footage

According to the officer’s own case report and related public records cited in the letter, the incident occurred between approximately 2:45 and 3:45 a.m. at 3308 E. Wysor Street while officers were serving a non-criminal child-support warrant.

Officer Skinner’s narrative states, in relevant part:

• “I then turned my Body Worn Camera off and rode back to the dispatched address with another Officer.”

• “I then activated my body worn camera again… I had discharged rounds at the original address after being attacked by a dog.”

• “Once the dog stopped moving towards me, I stopped firing my handgun at the dog.”

• “At this time, I am uncertain if the dog was struck by gunfire.”

The body-worn camera recorded none of the shooting. The dog, Memphis, was later found alive on October 17 with gunshot wounds to both rear legs; one leg requires amputation. Claims that the dog bit the officer do not appear in the formal report, and no medical treatment was sought for any officer.

Questions Raised

The letter notes that wounds to both rear legs are difficult to reconcile with a head-on advance and are more consistent with a fleeing animal. It identifies potential violations of Indiana law, including:

• Disabling a Law Enforcement Recording Device (IC 35-44.1-2-5, Class A misdemeanor) — if the camera was turned off with intent to commit or conceal a criminal act, in violation of Muncie Police Department policy.

• Official Misconduct (IC 35-44.1-1-1, Level 6 felony in applicable circumstances) — based on the knowing deactivation of required recording equipment during a use-of-force event and incomplete or inconsistent reporting.

• False Informing / False Reporting (IC 35-44.1-2-3) — if statements that the dog was attacking or advancing are shown to be knowingly false.

Hoosier Enquirer has already requested that the Prosecutor’s Office direct the preservation of all relevant evidence, including body-worn and in-car camera footage and audit logs, CAD/radio/911 records, the complete case file, veterinary records, and physical evidence.

Requests to the Mayor

Given the Mayor’s oversight of the Muncie Police Department, the letter asks Mayor Ridenour to:

• Direct the Muncie Police Department to preserve all evidence and cooperate fully with any investigation;

• Ensure an independent review of the incident, body-camera policy compliance, and the classification of the shooting; and

• Provide any public comment or statement the Mayor’s Office wishes to make on this matter.

The letter was signed by Dave McCarthy, Operational Manager of Hoosier Enquirer, and requests confirmation of receipt and forwarding to the Mayor. It also asks that any prior coverage of other matters involving the Mayor be set aside so the incident can be handled on its merits.

Hoosier Enquirer is an independent news organization covering matters of public interest in Indiana. The public continues to call for the full body-camera footage and answers under the #JusticeForMemphis hashtag. As of this writing, neither the Mayor’s Office nor the Muncie Police Department has issued a public response to the latest request.