Dunn County woman arrested in connection with emaciated dog
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By LeAnn R. Ralph
BOYCEVILLE — A 29-year-old Boyceville woman has been arrested in connection with an emaciated dog turned into the Dunn County Humane Society on November 1.
According to a criminal referral from the Boyceville Police Department, Boyceville Police Chief Greg Lamkin arrested Anne Marie Iehl November 11 and made a referral to the Dunn County District Attorney’s office for charging Iehl with one felony count of mistreating an animal causing disfigurement and one misdemeanor count of not providing proper food or drink to a confined animal.
The dog, who has been named Gabriel by the Dunn County Humane Society staff, was turned into the humane society on November 1 in an advanced state of starvation, according to photographs posted by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department.
Along with the pictures posted on Facebook, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department asked for the public’s help in identifying the owner.
According to the Boyceville Police Department criminal referral, Iehl surrendered the male dog to the Dunn County Humane Society, claiming she had found it as a stray.
Over the following days, the Dunn County Humane Society posted pictures of Gabriel, showing him wearing “pajamas” to help hold in his body heat and with a good-natured expression on his face.
Subsequent Facebook posts by the humane society showed Gabriel gaining strength and starting to play with a ball. Humane society staff described him as a fun-loving goofball.
One Facebook post noted on November 11 that Gabriel now weighed 44 pounds and had gained about 20 pounds since coming to the humane society on November 1.
Meanwhile, Police Chief Lamkin and investigators from the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department continued their investigation of the case, and eventually they determined Iehl was the owner of the dog and had kept him at her home confined indoors at 1406 West Street in the Village of Boyceville, according to the criminal referral.
“She stated that she daily took care of (the dog), but the shelter staff and two vets stated he was weak and disfigured in his state with organs starting to shut down,” the referral says.
“In the week since she surrendered him, the dog has gained back weight at an expense of over $3,000 in care. The defendant met me at the (Boyceville Police Department) station and admitted to surrendering him and lying about finding him. I released her with a summons to court,” according to Police Chief Lamkin’s referral.
The Dunn County Humane Society issued a news release about the arrest on November 12.
“We are pleased to share that an arrest was made late yesterday in the case of the dog we named Gabriel … the case has been referred to the Dunn County District Attorney’s office for prosecution, and we are confident that they will pursue justice for Gabriel to the fullest extent of the law,” according to the news release.
The Dunn County Humane Society news release goes on to commend Dunn County Sheriff’s Deputy T.J. Larson and Police Chief Lamkin for their work on the investigation.
The news release also expressed appreciation for the work done by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department, Dunn County Crime Stoppers Inc., Dr. Prochnow, Dr. Westcott, the veterinary technicians and support staff at the Hoof & Paw Veterinary Clinic, the Dunn County District Attorney’s office, WQOW News 18, WEAU 13 News, WCCO-TV CBS Minnesota and all the other news outlets sharing Gabriel’s story, Lost Dogs of Wisconsin, and thousands of individuals on social media and in the community who shared posts, donated, encouraged and “spread the word.”
“Gabriel is doing well and has gained 20 pounds since he arrived at our shelter on November 1. His sweet disposition and fun personality are coming out more and more each day. We will continue to share updates on Gabriel as he continues to gain strength and finally gets to feel the warmth, love and happiness of a forever home, which he deserved all along,” the humane society news release states.
On November 13, the Boyceville Police Department made the following post on Facebook: “We have been made aware of some concerning statements made online in relation to the arrest in connection with Gabriel’s abuse. His physical condition when he was turned into the shelter was alarming, and it upset people. We need to make sure everyone remains civil. The court will address a just consequence for the suspect. Any threats involving her, or her family, will not be tolerated. It would be a far better use of your energies to focus on helping Gabriel and other animals like him. The Dunn County Humane Society is always looking for help in taking care of unwanted pets.”
According to the Boyceville Police Department criminal referral, Iehl is scheduled to appear in Dunn County Circuit Court on December 10.
According to the Dunn County Humane Society, mistreatment of an animal resulting in disfigurement is a Class I felony.
The penalty for a Class I felony, upon conviction, could include a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to three years and six months.
