WS - Politician uses leash to strangle golden retriever to death - Dodge County, June 2025

[Clearsky]

Wisconsin Politician Allegedly Used 'Noose' to Strangle Golden Retriever to Death — While Saying These Chilling Words

Richard Van Buren allegedly admitted to investigators he held the dog in a leash for too long, according to a criminal complaint.

people.com

Richard Van Buren, the Chairman of the Chester Town Board in Waupun, Wis., was arrested on Thursday, June 19, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

 

[tlorik]

Bet he won't be chairman of the town board for much longer. Jerk!!

 

[tlcya]

Van Buren returns to court July 31 for a preliminary hearing, court records show.
Town pol accused of strangling lost golden retriever as good Samaritan watched in horror: ‘All I can see is those dog eyes looking at me’

Van Buren also told investigators the dog was aggressive and said he tried to calm it down before using a rope as a “choke collar” to help get it into a kennel.

“Richard Van Buren admitted dealing with aggressive dogs doesn’t usually ‘end well’ and indicated he had dealt with them in the past in his capacity as the town chair,” the investigator wrote. “Richard Van Buren admitted the choke collar was ‘too tight for too long probably,’ which was why the dog died.”

Van Buren later told officers he usually keeps a stray dog for seven days and after that, “he takes care of it.” The officer clarified that meant Van Buren later shoots them.
Wisconsin town's chair arrested following allegations he fatally choked a stray dog

 

[The Zookeeper]

This is horrific. This man “keeps the stray dogs for 7 days and then shoots them.” What the heck???

 

[Knox]

State abbreviation for Wisconsin is WI. I hate people who abuse/kill animals. Hope this creep is severely punished.

 

[LadyL]

Van Buren returns to court July 31 for a preliminary hearing, court records show.
Town pol accused of strangling lost golden retriever as good Samaritan watched in horror: ‘All I can see is those dog eyes looking at me’

Van Buren also told investigators the dog was aggressive and said he tried to calm it down before using a rope as a “choke collar” to help get it into a kennel.

“Richard Van Buren admitted dealing with aggressive dogs doesn’t usually ‘end well’ and indicated he had dealt with them in the past in his capacity as the town chair,” the investigator wrote. “Richard Van Buren admitted the choke collar was ‘too tight for too long probably,’ which was why the dog died.”

Van Buren later told officers he usually keeps a stray dog for seven days and after that, “he takes care of it.” The officer clarified that meant Van Buren later shoots them.
Wisconsin town's chair arrested following allegations he fatally choked a stray dog

I don't understand why a local politician is dealing with stray animals and why the Humane Society told her to take the dog to a local official - unless he is the local animal control? he's obviously killed many according to his own words of what he 'usually' does.

This makes me sick. The poor dog looks like a sweetheart. He better do jail time, lose whatever job he has in local government and in animal control and be ostracized by his community.