ROCK SPRINGS, WY – The 19-year-old daughter of Rock Springs’ police chief faces a felony animal abuse charge after allegedly poisoning her roommate’s pit bull with antifreeze shortly after moving in together, authorities said.
Allie Erspamer was charged following the death of Lily, a pit bull owned by Hallie Blake. Blake adopted the dog in December 2024, and Erspamer moved into the residence the following month.
The dog began experiencing severe health problems in April 2025, suffering seizures and developing kidney failure. Lily started vomiting and collapsing, prompting Blake to seek emergency veterinary care. After unsuccessful treatment attempts costing thousands of dollars, a veterinarian recommended euthanasia.
Blake sent Lily’s remains to the State Veterinary Crime Lab in Laramie for examination. A necropsy revealed the dog had been poisoned with antifreeze, leading to the criminal investigation.
According to court documents, Erspamer claimed in March that Lily had bitten her. However, Blake’s mother expressed skepticism about this account, raising questions about the teenager’s motives.
Digital evidence proved critical to the case. Snapchat messages allegedly showed Erspamer claiming she gave Lily treats “sprayed with bleach.” Investigators also discovered suspicious search queries made through Snapchat’s AI assistant.
The search history included questions about whether an autopsy could detect antifreeze poisoning and how long bleach would take to kill a dog, according to prosecutors. These queries allegedly were made before Lily’s symptoms appeared.
Erspamer is the daughter of Rock Springs Police Chief Bill Erspamer, adding a layer of complexity to the high-profile case. The police department has not commented on the charges against the chief’s daughter.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 26. An accessory after the fact charge against a friend of Erspamer’s was dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could refile the charge at a later date.
The case has drawn attention to the serious nature of animal cruelty charges in Wyoming. Felony animal abuse convictions can carry significant prison time and fines.
Animal welfare advocates have called for strong penalties in the case, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the alleged crime. The use of poison represents a particularly cruel method of harming animals, they noted.
