VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 14-year-old boy was arrested on Tuesday after a viral door-kicking challenge left a dog dead in the road, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
In a release, deputies said that the victim — identified as Dysani Cid of Deltona — reported that she came home on Dec. 20 to find her front door kicked in.
Furthermore, her 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier named “Spookie” was missing.
“Tragically, Spookie was later found along the road, apparently hit by traffic while he was loose,” the release reads.
Cid told News 6 that her home security cameras didn’t catch the incident itself, though they did record a still photo of teens on her front porch. She also came home to find her door frame damaged.
Detectives’ original report mentioned a nearby teen’s birthday party. The teens told investigators they were playing “ding dong ditch” at neighbors’ houses.
According to Cid, detectives initially told her that they interviewed teens but didn’t have enough evidence to press charges. But on Tuesday, deputies announced that a 14-year-old DeLand boy was arrested at his school and faces charges of burglary and criminal mischief.
“An investigation identified several juveniles who attended a party in the area that night and went out to play ‘ding dong ditch’ in the neighborhood,” the release continues. “A neighbor’s security camera captured audio of the incident. Further investigation led to identification of the defendant who kicked the victim’s door multiple times, forcing it open.”
The sheriff’s office said a phone call from News 6 Volusia County community correspondent Molly Reed questioning the original decision prompted investigators to reopen the case and take a closer, second look.
During an emotional interview with News 6, Cid expressed relief upon hearing the update.
“Oh my gosh,” she said, tears in her eyes.
The sheriff’s office noted several other cases of local teens participating in the viral TikTok challenge involving kicking in random people’s doors.
Cid hopes that any punishment for the teens involved will leave a lasting impact.
“Have them do community service at a local dog shelter — three years, that’s how old Spooky was! That’s how I feel,” she said.