Man arrested in Dodge County after incident led to the death of a Golden Retriever

Dodge County Sheriff\'s Office

DODGE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- This afternoon, June 19, Richard Van Buren was arrested and charged after an incident that resulted in the death of a Golden Retriever. 

Around 7:02 p.m. on June 17, law enforcement reported to an incident on Oakwood Rd. that led to the death a dog. 

Van Buren was booked into Dodge County Jail and will await his appearance in the Dodge County Circuit Court. 

Van Buren is also the Chairman of the Chester Town Board in rural Waupun. 

It is unconfirmed at this time the cause of the dog's death. 

Dodge County deputies have been following the case and at this time, due to the investigation being active, has no additional information. 

In a press release, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office acknowledges the public outcry surrounding the incident and stated that they will take the time to gather the necessary evidence. 

They state that they take the mistreatment of animal cases seriously and encourage reporting such incidents to law enforcement. 

Executive Director of the Dodge County Humane Society Kensie Drinkwine made this statement about the situation. 

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. Our thoughts are with those affected by this loss, and we remain committed to protecting every animal in Dodge County with the dignity and compassion they deserve.

This is a developing story. Stick with CBS 58 online or on air for future updates. 

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