'Dog Killer' Sign Posted In Yard After Pet Hit By Car: Police

ST. CHARLES, IL – A 59-year St. Charles man was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge in recent weeks after he placed a sign that read, "Dog Killer Lives Here," in his neighbor's yard shortly after that same neighbor's pet was struck and killed by a car, according to Kane County authorities. Robert Metzger, of 5N124 Grove Avenue in St. Charles, is accused of hammering the wooden sign into the ground in the front yard while the owner of the dog and his 13-year-old son were burying their dog in the backyard of their house. The dog's owner later told police he heard a hammering sound but didn't think much of it until his brother spotted the sign and called to tell him about it, according to a Kane County Sheriff's Office report.

The man's dog was killed on Route 25 at about 5:30 a.m. on May 31, according to the report. The man thought the dog had been sleeping in his bed but the dog apparently escaped through a window before running into traffic. A Kane Co. Sheriff's officer helped him load his dead pet into his vehicle, which he then took home so he could bury the dog that same morning.

After speaking with the dog's owner, the officer went to Metzger's home to get his side of the story. While there, Metzger allegedly told the officer he was not getting involved and shut the door in his face, according to the report.

The officer went back to the neighbor's house to speak with him. The man said he was very upset and concerned that residents in his neighborhood would have noticed the "Dog Killer" sign in his front yard. He also said he was worried his teenage son might have seen the sign shortly after burying his dog, according to the report.

While the officer and the dog's owner were talking, Metzger allegedly drove by, parked in front of the sheriff's office patrol car and walked up to the officer in an aggressive manner, stating, "Where the [expetive] is my sign?" The officer asked Metzger if he made the sign, and he allegedly replied, "Yes, I did. He's an [expletive] dog killer."

Metzger later told authorities his neighbor's pets were constantly getting loose and running around the neighborhood. And reiterated that he made the sign because he believed his neighbor was a "dog killer."

Metzger was taken into custody and transported to the Kane County Jail. He is currently free after posting bond, according to online court records.

Metzger is next expected in court on June 14, according to online court records.

Photo caption: Robert Metzger (left) and the sign he allegedly made and posted in his neighbor's yard in St. Charles Township after his dog died. Photo credit: Kane County Sheriff's Office