Animal Abuse: Animals found neglected, some dead - Lake Holcombe, WI

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Case ID: 17160

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull), cow

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Case #17160

Animals found neglected, some dead
Lake Holcombe, WI (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Dec 28, 2010
County: Chippewa

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Daniel J. Miller

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

A 33-year-old Ladysmith man was arrested Tuesday for animal neglect and abuse in the town of Lake Holcombe.

Judge Steven Cray on Thursday set a $1,000 signature bond for Daniel J. Miller, with a list of conditions on the bond.

"A number of deceased animals were located on the property as well as 11 head of cattle that appeared to be suffering from malnutrition and dehydration and six pigs that appeared in the same condition," Undersheriff Gene Gutsch said Thursday.

According to the sheriff's department:

A deputy was called to 30046 295th St. in the Lake Holcombe location to check the welfare of animals on Tuesday afternoon.

The deputy found a number of cats, dogs, livestock and pigs that appeared to be neglected and suffering from several health and nutrition issues.

Sheriff's Department investigators and members of the Chippewa County Humane Association then went to the scene, with the association members taking the dogs and cats off the property to assess the animals' health.

The next day a search warrant was served. Sheriff's department investigators and representatives of Lake Holcombe township along with a local veterinarian returned to the property.

All the animals on the property were removed with the help of a local farmer.

The land is owned by Larry Miller, who is the father of Daniel J. Miller.

"A similar investigation took place in 1998 for animal abuse where a number of dogs, livestock and other animals were not being cared for with many (of the animals) deceased and frozen in their dog houses and the barn," Gutsch said.

Miller is scheduled to return to Chippewa County Court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Cray ordered Miller to have no contact with five people, including Robert Bayerl, the chairman of the town of Lake Holcombe.

Miller was instructed from going to two farms where the animals are being kept. Cray said Miller is not to possess any animals pending the outcome of the case.

Miller was represented at the hearing by attorney Loren Hadcock, who said the public defender's office should be contacted about defending Miller.

Case Updates

A Ladysmith man arrested for neglecting his livestock in the town of Lake Holcombe last December has been placed on probation for 18 months.

Daniel J. Miller, 713 Railroad Ave. #2, was charged Dec. 28, 2010 with mistreatment of animals causing death, intentionally failing to provide food for animals, intentionally abandoning an animal and obstruction of an officer.

Miller entered no contest pleas to intentionally failing to provide food for animals and abandoning an animal, with the other charges dismissed and read in for sentencing. He was placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

As a condition of probation, he is not to have any animals, except for employment and then under the care of a veterinarian who would make monthly reports to the probation agent.

Source: chippewa.com - Nov 23, 2011
Update posted on Nov 26, 2011 - 8:40PM

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The Ladysmith man accused of a felony count of mistreating animals in the town of Lake Holcombe also faces two misdemeanor charges of child neglect.

Daniel J. Miller, 33, in addition is accused of failing to provide proper food and drink to confined animals, intentional abandonment of animals and two counts of obstructing an officer.

Miller pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday. Judge Roderick Cameron continued Miller's $1,000 signature bond on the animal mistreatment charges and set an additional $500 signature bond on the child neglect charges.

A woman identified in court records as Miller's girlfriend, Katie M. Pederson, 31, of Ladysmith is accused of two counts of misdemeanor child neglect from September to December 2010 and two counts of obstructing an officer. Cameron set a $500 signature bond for her.

Pederson and Miller are both scheduled to return to court April 12.

According to a criminal complaint against Miller:

The Chippewa County Sheriff's Department received a complaint on Dec. 28 of animal neglect at 30046 295th Street in the town of Lake Holcombe. The property is owned by Larry Miller and the animals there are owned by his son, Daniel Miller.

Daniel Miller had moved from the property earlier in December.

When officers went to the property they saw a dog chained to the home. "The dog appeared to be malnourished as its ribs and spinal bones were readily visible."

A black container nearby had frozen water and no food was readily available for the animal.

Three other dogs, thought to be beagles, had swollen bellies. Inside their pen were several animal bones and a large amount of dog excrement.

Six pigs were found inside a barn. The ribs and spinal bones of the pigs were visible.

Officers said a heavy odor of decomposing flesh was hanging in the air.

One dog was found frozen with no food or water available. Miller said the dog died of advanced age and perhaps of natural causes.

Miller said he returned daily to care for the animals, adding he fed one dog 2.5 quarts of food. He also said neighbors were feeding the animals for him.

He could not say the last day he cleaned up fecal matter on the property.

When asked about the numerous cattle bones on the land, Miller said he had shot a cow two years earlier because the cow did not produce a calf.

"Daniel seemed to take offense to the fact that his animals were being mistreated. Daniel told the officer he loved his animals and even kicked snow into the pigs' barn for them to drink," the complaint said.

Miller was told by an officer that was not adequate and he became more agitated.

A supervisor for the Humane Association said the beagles were full of parasites.

Authorities were able to account for 11 head of cattle, six geese, six pigs and eight chickens on the property.

The misdemeanor child neglect charges against Miller and Pederson stem from the pair living in a trailer for four months. Every other week, Pederson's two children would join them.

A criminal complaint said the trailer was extremely filthy.

Miller had lived in the trailer in the town of Lake Holcombe since the fall of 2009 before moving to Ladysmith.

Source: chippewa.com - Feb 3, 2011
Update posted on Nov 26, 2011 - 8:38PM

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Animals found neglected, some deadLake Holcombe, WI (US)

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Animals found neglected, some dead
Lake Holcombe, WI (US)