A 14-year-old boy in Deltona, Florida, has been arrested in connection with a viral social media challenge that resulted in the death of a dog. Authorities say the incident began as a prank where neighborhood teens forcefully kicked open a front door — part of a dangerous online trend — allowing the family’s Yorkshire terrier to escape and later be killed in a traffic accident.
🕵️♂️ Social Media Trend Turns Deadly
Investigators say the group of juveniles were participating in what is believed to be a “door-kicking challenge,” a prank circulating on social media that encourages teens to kick at house entrances before fleeing. During the act, one participant allegedly broke into the front door of a home on Tiburon Lane, even though the homeowner was not present.
Surveillance footage and neighborhood reports helped law enforcement identify the individual now facing charges of burglary and criminal mischief.
🐶 Pet Escapes, Owner Seeks Justice
At the time of the prank, the homeowner’s dogs were inside the residence. One of them — a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Spookie — was frightened by the commotion, fled through the damaged doorway, and was later found fatally struck by a car.
The devastated pet owner has been outspoken about her grief, saying that while property damage is repairable, her beloved dog did not deserve to die as a result of a reckless stunt. She also expressed relief and a sense of closure upon learning an arrest had been made after detectives reopened the case.
⚖️ Charges and Legal Outlook
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the suspect was taken into custody at school and now faces a mix of felony and misdemeanor counts related to the incident. No formal ruling on sentencing has been announced, but authorities say the arrest follows a renewed focus on evidence and community concern.
