A trusted Wisconsin town official faces felony animal cruelty charges after allegedly strangling a stray golden retriever with a leash, sparking community outrage and raising serious questions about oversight and ethics in local animal control.

In a small rural town in Dodge County, Wisconsin, an incident that began with an act of compassion has spiraled into a chilling case of alleged animal cruelty that’s now drawing national outrage.

Richard Van Buren, 55, the chairman of the Town of Chester board and the area’s animal control officer, has been charged with felony mistreatment of an animal after allegedly strangling a stray golden retriever to death with a leash — while a horrified good Samaritan stood by helplessly.

It all started on June 17, when a woman named Shelby Krohn discovered a stray golden retriever wandering alone and dehydrated near the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Refuge.

She gave the dog water and food, and after being advised to contact the town’s animal control authority, she brought the dog to Van Buren’s farm, believing she was doing the right thing.

What happened next, according to her sworn statement and police documents, was anything but expected.

Krohn recounted that upon arrival, the dog barked and bit Van Buren. In response, he allegedly looped a leash around the dog’s neck, tightened it like a noose, and hoisted the dog through a car window until it went limp.

According to her, the golden retriever began foaming at the mouth, struggling, before losing consciousness.

“This is what we do on the farm when dogs bite,” Van Buren allegedly said, as Krohn screamed and begged him to stop. Moments later, the dog was dead.

Law enforcement was quickly notified, and Van Buren was arrested on June 19. He was booked into Dodge County Jail and released a day later on a $5,000 signature bond with conditions prohibiting him from owning pets during the course of legal proceedings.

He faces up to three and a half years in prison if convicted. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 31, and a bond review is set for July 16.

The case has sparked intense public reaction in Waupun and far beyond, with animal rights activists and ordinary citizens expressing horror at the details.

The Dodge County Humane Society said its staff was “heartbroken” and shocked that a public official tasked with protecting animals could allegedly act with such violence.

Local residents have organized online campaigns calling for his resignation, while others have flooded social media with messages of support for Krohn’s bravery in reporting the incident.

The most disturbing element of the story may be what this incident suggests about Van Buren’s past. Krohn told investigators that during their conversation, Van Buren casually admitted that he’d shot stray dogs before after keeping them for a week.

These statements, if verified, point to a potentially longstanding pattern of mistreatment or disregard for animal welfare.

As public outrage grows, questions are being raised about how Van Buren came to hold the position of animal control officer in the first place, and whether any oversight or training was ever implemented.

Adding to the tension is the fact that Van Buren is a known figure in the community. In addition to being the town board chairman, he’s involved in local civic issues and was widely seen as a responsible authority figure.

His defense team has yet to issue a public statement, but sources suggest that he may argue self-defense or necessity, pointing to the dog’s alleged aggression.

Still, the brutality of the act — and the calm, matter-of-fact way it was allegedly carried out — has stunned even those familiar with rural animal control practices.

While farms and small towns often deal with strays in ways that differ from urban animal services, critics argue that there is a clear line between managing animal behavior and committing deliberate cruelty.

The incident is already prompting calls for legislative reform in Wisconsin. Animal rights groups are pushing for laws that would prevent town board members or other untrained individuals from serving as animal control officers.

They are also calling for mandatory training, mental health evaluations, and accountability mechanisms for anyone tasked with handling stray or dangerous animals.

Meanwhile, Shelby Krohn — who has become an accidental activist through this tragedy — has said she is traumatized by what she witnessed. In interviews, she described how the image of the golden retriever’s eyes haunts her.

“All I can see is those dog eyes looking at me,” she said, holding back tears. Her courage in coming forward has earned widespread support, and many believe her actions may have saved other animals from a similar fate.

Van Buren’s fate will now be determined in court. Until then, the town of Chester is left grappling with an incident that has shaken its sense of trust in local leadership.

What began as an attempt to help a lost dog has now become a high-profile test of justice, ethics, and accountability in small-town America.

And at the center of it all is a single moment of violence — one that may change the way animal protection is handled not just in Wisconsin, but across the country.