The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the town chairman of a rural community near Waupun after the death of a golden retriever.Richard Van Buren was arrested Thursday for a charge of mistreating animals after an incident occurred in the Town of Chester around 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17. Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt launched an investigation into the death of the dog after a woman claimed it was intentionally strangled with a leash. The case also drew widespread attention on social media.Photos of the seemingly healthy golden retriever mix were shared on Facebook hundreds of times, showing the animal being rescued from a highway on Tuesday. The caption asked if anyone knew the owner, but within hours, the dog was dead. According to the social media post, the woman who found the dog claims she was trying to turn the animal over to Van Buren, who helps with strays in the Town of Chester, when he strangled the dog with a leash.The woman who said she saw the dog killed stated she picked him up because she saw him running loose along Highway 49 near Horicon Marsh and was afraid he was going to be run over by a semi on the highway.Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt confirmed the death investigation, saying, “Because this investigation is still active, no additional information can be released… we ask the community’s patience as we determine the facts of the case.”After the arrest, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement to WISN 12 News saying, “The sheriff’s office certainly took note that there was significant public outcry on this case. However, the sheriff would like the community to know that the sheriff’s office does not make enforcement decisions based on outcry or pressure from the community as that would be inappropriate and unethical. Rather, we take the time to gather the necessary evidence that the district attorney needs for a successful prosecution.”WISN 12 News spoke with both the accuser and Van Buren, who she claims killed the dog. Neither would agree to an on-camera interview. The woman did not want to be identified. Van Buren called the social media report “a bunch of lies.” The sheriff’s office said it will release no further information as “information will be made available through court documents at the appropriate time and the case does remain under investigation.”
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the town chairman of a rural community near Waupun after the death of a golden retriever.
Richard Van Buren was arrested Thursday for a charge of mistreating animals after an incident occurred in the Town of Chester around 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17.
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Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt launched an investigation into the death of the dog after a woman claimed it was intentionally strangled with a leash. The case also drew widespread attention on social media.
Photos of the seemingly healthy golden retriever mix were shared on Facebook hundreds of times, showing the animal being rescued from a highway on Tuesday. The caption asked if anyone knew the owner, but within hours, the dog was dead.
According to the social media post, the woman who found the dog claims she was trying to turn the animal over to Van Buren, who helps with strays in the Town of Chester, when he strangled the dog with a leash.
The woman who said she saw the dog killed stated she picked him up because she saw him running loose along Highway 49 near Horicon Marsh and was afraid he was going to be run over by a semi on the highway.
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt confirmed the death investigation, saying, “Because this investigation is still active, no additional information can be released… we ask the community’s patience as we determine the facts of the case.”
After the arrest, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement to WISN 12 News saying, “The sheriff’s office certainly took note that there was significant public outcry on this case. However, the sheriff would like the community to know that the sheriff’s office does not make enforcement decisions based on outcry or pressure from the community as that would be inappropriate and unethical. Rather, we take the time to gather the necessary evidence that the district attorney needs for a successful prosecution.”
WISN 12 News spoke with both the accuser and Van Buren, who she claims killed the dog. Neither would agree to an on-camera interview. The woman did not want to be identified. Van Buren called the social media report “a bunch of lies.”
The sheriff’s office said it will release no further information as “information will be made available through court documents at the appropriate time and the case does remain under investigation.”
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