CHESTER, Wis. (WFRV) – Deputies with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin released a lengthy statement after a local Town Board Chairman was charged in connection with the death of a Golden Retriever.
Back on the evening of Tuesday, June 17, deputies with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the death of a Golden Retriever after an incident happened on Oakwood Road in the Town of Chester that led to the dog’s death.
Richard Van Buren (Dodge County Sheriff’s Office)
An updated release was sent out on Thursday, stating that earlier in the afternoon, deputies arrested Richard Van Buren on a charge of Mistreating Animals in connection with Tuesday’s incident.
Deputies noted that Van Buren is the Chairman of the Chester Town Board in rural Waupun.
Van Buren was booked into the Dodge County Jail and is awaiting his initial court appearance.
In Thursday’s Facebook post, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office provided a statement that touched on the ‘significant public outcry,’ threatening comments made by community members, and ‘inaccurate and inflammatory’ social media posts.
The full statement can be read below:
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. While the community may at times request immediate action by a law enforcement agency, that may not always be what is best for the final resolution of a case. If the sheriff’s office were to make snap decisions in cases like this, and a defendant in a case were not held accountable as a result, there would be equally significant public outcry. This is why we always strive to conduct as much of the investigation, when possible, before making an arrest. Additionally, there have been threatening comments made by some community members that must be addressed. Threats to the personal safety and property of individuals are not only inappropriate but may also be illegal. While we respect the freedom of speech, that freedom of speech does have limits when it comes to threatening another person’s life, family members, or property. The sheriff’s office will take threats seriously and make arrests as appropriate if they are deemed to be in violation of the law. This includes threats that are made via social media. Other social media posts have been seen that are grossly inaccurate and inflammatory. One such post alleged that a Dodge County Board Supervisor was on the scene of this incident. We can confirm that no Dodge County officials were present or were involved, and the only officials involved were from the town of Chester, and no other persons have been identified as being party to the crime of mistreating animals in this case. The sheriff’s office takes mistreatment of animal cases very seriously, and we have a history of making arrests of individuals who have committed the crime of mistreatment of animals. We encourage reporting of incidents to law enforcement when these alleged crimes occur so they can be investigated by law enforcement.
Dodge County Sheriff’s Office
No additional information was provided. Local 5 will continue to follow this story and provide updates when new details are released.
