TOWN OF CHESTER – Chester Town Board Chairman Richard Van Buren has been arrested on suspicion of mistreating an animal.
Dodge County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest in a news release June 19, noting the arrest stems from an incident in town of Chester in rural Waupun that resulted in the death of a golden retriever.
The sheriff’s office said it would release no further details about the incident.
In its release, the sheriff’s office said “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.”
The sheriff’s office also addressed “threatening comments” that have been made, noting they “are not only inappropriate but may also be illegal.”
The sheriff’s office said it “will take threats seriously and make arrests as appropriate if they are deemed to be in violation of the law. This includes threats which are made via social media.”
The release also aimed to dispel “grossly inaccurate and inflammatory” social media posts, stating no other people have been identified as being party to the crime of mistreating an animal in the case.
Contact Brandon Reid at breid@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Rural Waupun town board chairman arrested on suspicion of mistreating an animal in dog’s death
Reporting by Brandon Reid, Fond du Lac Reporter / Fond du Lac Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
