Woman vanished after kicking dog in Middletown; $1,500 reward offered

A $1,500 reward is now on the table to help Middletown police find a woman captured on camera kicking a dog.

The incident occurred on Oct. 23, which was a Friday. Nicole Diaz, a resident of East Avenue, says she heard unusual sounds outside her home around 9:30 a.m. She checked her security footage and saw the woman and the dog near the street.

The video shows the woman delivering kicks to the animal before they began to cross the road. A porch post blocked the camera’s view for a moment, but the audio recorded two loud slaps. Diaz described the sound as smacking and noted the dog was whimpering.

Diaz called the police right away. She also posted the clip online, hoping a neighbor or passerby would recognize the woman. The video spread quickly, drawing attention to the case and the dog’s current status.

Middletown police released two images of the suspect. Lt. Jeffry Thoelen stated that officers have spoken with people in the neighborhood and set up surveillance. Despite these efforts, the woman has not been identified yet.

The woman and the dog have not been seen in the area since the video was released. Diaz says she used to see the woman walking the dog regularly. She now worries the animal may have been abandoned or is suffering. Diaz has started a GoFundMe page to reach the $1,500 reward goal.

Anyone with information can reach the Middletown Animal Control officer at 845-346-4031.