Local Official Faces Animal Abuse Charges and Public Backlash

A man in Wisconsin, serving as the Chairman of Chester, is under investigation after allegedly harming a stray golden retriever in a brutal manner. The incident, witnessed by a bystander, has sparked outrage and threats directed at the official.

Richard Van Buren, 55, has been charged with a felony count of mistreatment of an animal. According to reports, he reportedly used a leash to lift the frightened dog by its neck, stating, “This f–king dog is going to die.”

Shelby Krohn, who discovered the dehydrated and terrified dog during an evening walk, recounted her distress. She spent 45 minutes coaxing the dog into her car and took it to the Dodge County Humane Society, which posted a picture of the dog with the caption, “Do you know me?”

Krohn then drove the dog to Van Buren’s farm, where attempts to secure the animal with a leash resulted in the dog biting Van Buren. Witnesses reported that he then yanked the dog by its leash through Krohn’s car window, leaving the dog suspended in the air, foaming at the mouth. The animal appeared limp and was restrained about two feet above the ground.

Dehydrated golden retriever encountered during walk — Krohn encountered the dehydrated and frightened dog during her walk along Horicon Marsh.

Van Buren reportedly admitted to having dealt violently with aggressive dogs before and stated he typically keeps stray animals for seven days before “taking care of it,” which sources indicate involved shooting the animal.

Van Buren on his farm — He reportedly told Krohn he had previously handled aggressive dogs violently.

The incident has led to a community-wide reaction, with social media posts calling for retribution being removed by platforms like Facebook. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning against threats, emphasizing that any dangerous comments, especially those involving threats to individuals’ safety or property, could be subject to legal action.

Van Buren is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on July 31. Meanwhile, animal advocates urged residents to stay calm and aid in locating the dog’s owner by sharing its photo. The Dodge County Humane Society emphasized that kindness and patience are vital, quoting Immanuel Kant: “We can judge the heart of man by his treatment of animals.”