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Indiana man reportedly assaulted, choked neighbor for mistreating dog

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A Bloomington man is charged after admitting to police he “beat the sh*t out of him,” in reference to an altercation with a neighbor.

Bloomington police said they were called to N. Arlington Park Drive on Oct. 1 around 4 p.m. Officers said they found a man with his shirt off, appearing sweaty and had grass stains on his pants.


The man was identified as 22-year-old Chase A. Warfel. Police said Warfel immediately claimed he did it.

Court documents explained Warfel admitted the [altercation] was his fault because he was tired of the other man mistreating his dog, not feeding him or taking him outside.

NewsNation affiliate WXIN reached out to police and they could not confirm the dog’s condition or if the dog was removed from its owner’s possession.

Investigators said they also spoke with neighbors who live in the same complex, who all stated that Warfel assaulted the man, striking him in the face several times.

Warfel reportedly admitted that he struck the man several times and even started the fight after being read Miranda.

Officers then spoke to the other man who stated while he was getting struck, he was also choked by Warfel. The choking reportedly caused the man to be impeded of his breathing causing him to see black and feel like he was going to pass out.

One witness said they recalled hearing the man say he couldn’t breathe while getting choked.

Warfel was charged with one count of strangulation, Level 6 Felony and battery resulting in bodily injury, Class A Misdemeanor.

A jury trial has been scheduled for Feb. 19, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.