Court docs: Dogs had become cannibalistic at Crandon property Kirker charged with 156 counts related to animal mistreatment

CRANDON, Wis. (WSAW) -- Court documents details horrific conditions based on witness accounts of a property in Crandon in which the ASPCA seized numerous animal.

Patricia Kirker, 52, was charged Wednesday with 156 counts related to animal mistreatment, six for causing an animal's death.

Authorities said 30 wolf-dog hybrids and six dead animals were found on her property March 17.

According to court documents from January 2016 to February 2017, the sheriff's department responded to 80 animal complaints. It was also reported the animals frequently escaped, posing a public safety risk.

According to a news release from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, authorities received numerous complaints about Kirker breeding wolf-dog hybrids. 
The ASPCA assisted with the removal, transport and sheltering of the animals last month.
A wolf-dog hybrid is part dog and part wolf—the result of breeding a wolf with a domestic dog.

According to the release, most wolf-dog hybrids are extremely timid and unpredictable, making them generally unsuitable and potentially dangerous pets.

Upon arriving at the scenes, members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team found wolf-dog hybrids living in deplorable conditions, many kept on chains without access to proper food or water and suffering from various untreated medical conditions. Some were found running loose on the property.

Court documents stated a witness reported Kirker had keep horse in a trailer for three months. She also reported seeing at least two dogs with embedded collars. The woman also said Kirker did not provide adequate food and water, so the dogs would eat litters of puppies. She also told investigators she recalled seeing the dogs feeding on a horse carcass.

During the removal of the animals, an investigator from the ASPCA reported one horse had hooves so overgrown, it could no longer walk normally, but instead had to “skate on its knuckles”.

“We’ve been concerned about these neglected animals for quite some time,” stated Sheriff John Dennee in a news release. “We wanted to make sure this case was handled properly and we cannot thank the ASPCA enough for their expertise and assistance in this investigation.”

Kirker will return to court May 3. That's when a judge is expected to rule if there is enough evidence for the case to head to trial. She remains behind bars on $100,000 cash bond.

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