DODGE COUNTY, Wis (CBS58) -- The man accused of strangling a dog to death in Dodge County was in court Friday, June 20.
Richard Van Buren is the Town of Chester board chair and acts as the town's animal control officer.
He was charged Thursday for one count of mistreating an animal.
It's the towns choice who responds to animal control calls, for the Town of Chester where the population is just under 4,000, that responsibility was on Richard Van Buren.
On Friday, he appeared in court via Zoom after allegedly killing a dog.
According to the criminal complaint this isn't the first time.
"It's my understanding that he has a lot of livestock including dogs and cats on the property we are requesting the dogs and cats are removed from the property," said Prosecutor Andrea Will.
On Friday, Richard Van Buren appeared in front of a judge after allegedly killing a golden retriever.
The Dodge County Humane Society posted these pictures on Facebook asking if anyone lost their dog on Highway 49 on the Horicon Marsh.
On Tuesday, Dodge County Sheriff launched an investigation into this dog's death after a woman claimed it was intentionally strangled with a leash.
According to the criminal complaint a witness contacted the City of Waupun Police Department. She was directed to the Humane Society, but they redirected her to the Town of Chester Chairperson, Richard Van Buren.
She was told to meet him at his home where he would kennel the dog.
"Mr. Van Buren and his wife have two dogs, and that they know of 12-15 farm cats," said Defense Attorney Amanda Riek.
The complaint says the dog was in the passenger seat, the witness says he put the leash around the dog's neck, choking the dog.
Van Buren then pulled the dog through the car window, that's when the dog bit his hand. The complaint says the witness then saw Van Buren life the dog about two feet in the air and it was foaming at the mouth.
The witness tried to intervene, but Ban Buren allegedly said "the dog bit me. It's going to die."
Another witness was there watching from several feet away, Michael Kuzulka, the Town of Chester Supervisor. He said the dog "went nuts and "drew blood" and it was either "the dog or Rich."
"If the court would allow for the condition that he not have any direct contact with those animals it's my understanding that there is a building on the property that those animals can safety and humanely stay," said Riek.
The Dodge County Humane Society Executive Director Kensie Drinkwine said in a statement to CBS 58,
We are heartbroken and deeply disturbed by the recent incident involving the death of a dog in the Town of Chester. The Dodge County Humane Society exists to protect and advocate for the welfare of all animals, and this tragic act stands in direct opposition to the values of compassion, responsibility and care that we strive to uphold in our community. This incident highlights the urgent need for better education, accountability and humane training for anyone entrusted with the care of animals – especially public officials. No animal deserves to suffer or die because of negligence or cruelty. We want to sincerely thank the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office for their prompt and professional response to this matter. We trust their investigation will be thorough and just, and we support them fully as they work to bring clarity and accountability to this heartbreaking situation.
In the complaint Van Buren admitted the choke collar was too tight for too long. He allegedly said he usually keeps stray dogs for seven days.
After the week Van Buren says he "takes care of it" which the officer clarified means he shoots it with a gun.
It's not yet known if the dog had an owner. Van Buren said the dog was wearing a clear collar and he believes it was "cared for."
Van Buren's Signature Bond is set at $5,000.