Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Dog burned, accelerant suspected

Dog burned, accelerant suspected
Ottawa, IL (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Nov 2, 2005
County: La Salle
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available

Abusers/Suspects:
» Jason N. Kuehlem, Sr
» Woman - Alleged

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 5967

Classification: Burning - Fire or Fireworks

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Animal was offleash or loose

Authorities are investigating a possible case of animal abuse on Ottawa's North Side that was reported to them on November 2, 2005.

A 1-year-old, male, black Labrador and husky mix is believed to have been abused, possibly by having a burning agent ignited on his body, according to Peggy Rizzo, a state-approved animal humane investigator. Rizzo added the dog had old and new scars.

The dog has patches and lines on his back, legs and underside where the fur is gone and raw skin is visible. A man who was near the dog's home on Nov. 2 saw the animal outside the home on a short chain and saw the wounds.

"It made me sick. I got disgusted when I saw the dog," he said. He called police.

Rick Ragusa of the La Salle County Animal Control Office,and Rizzo went to the dog's home on November 3, 2005. Rizzo said a heavy chain was fastened tightly around the dog's neck with a padlock, which she said might result in a cruelty charge separate from any charges stemming from the dog's injuries.

Ragusa said he spoke with the dog's owners a 33-year-old man and a woman. Rizzo said the owners gave conflicting stories as to how the dog was injured, with the man saying the dog had entered a fire while chasing a ball.

The La Salle County Sheriff's Office was called and the matter was referred to the La Salle County State's Attorney's office. State's Attorney Joseph P. Hettel said he is waiting for a veterinarian's report on the dog's wounds before determining possible charges.

The dog was seized and taken to Illinois Valley Animal Rescue in Peru.

Chris Ellberg, president of the animal rescue, said the dog is in good spirits and is enjoying the attention of staff at the rescue facility. She added that the animal is healing and does not seem to be in pain but is suffering discomfort.

Case Updates

On Friday, a status hearing regarding the sentencing of Jason N. Kuehlem Sr., 34, 2010 Elm Lane, Ottawa, was scheduled for Aug. 18 in front of Circuit Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.
Kuehlem is charged with violation of an animal owner's duties and aggravated battery.

He pleaded guilty to these charges June 9.

The dog offense can be punished by fine, probation and as long as six months in jail. The battery offense can be punished by fine, probation and as long as five years in prison.

Authorities seized Kuehlem's Labrador-husky mix dog in November after the animal was found with severe burns -- in some spots the skin was burned away. Investigators suspect a flammable liquid was poured or squirted onto the dog and then ignited.

Despite his guilty plea, Kuehlem told The Times in December that he was innocent, claiming the dog had chased a ball into a fire, suffering burns in that manner.

On May 9, Kuehlem broke a man's arm with a baseball bat in rural South Ottawa Township, according to the La Salle County Sheriff's Office.

Source: My Web Times - July 29, 2006
Update posted on Jul 31, 2006 - 6:47AM

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An Ottawa man is set for sentencing next month in La Salle County Circuit Court in connection with the burning of his dog and for breaking a man's arm.

Jason N. Kuehlem Sr., 34, of 2010 Elm Lane is slated to be sentenced July 28 by Circuit Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr., for violation of an animal owners duties and aggravated battery.

Kuehlem pleaded guilty to these charges June 9 -- his birthday.

The dog offense can be punished by fine, probation and as long as six months in jail. The battery offense can be punished by fine, probation and as long as five years in prison.

There is no sentencing agreement in place.

One of the factors Ryan might consider when sentencing Kuehlem is Kuehlem's 28-page criminal record.

Kuehlem has served time in prison more than once, and has convictions in La Salle County for aggravated battery to a police officer, damage to property, theft, unlawful restraint, aggravated assault, battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, trespass, resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence. He has also received 36 traffic tickets since 1989 in the county.

Kuehlem, the father of eight children, has faced a number of other charges over the years that were eventually dropped, including a charge of cruelty to an animal in 1991.

Kuehlem broke the man's arm with a baseball bat May 9 in rural South Ottawa Township, according to the La Salle County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities seized Kuehlem's Labrador-husky mix dog in November after the animal was found with severe burns -- in some spots the skin was burned away. Investigators suspect a flammable liquid was poured or squirted onto the dog and then ignited.

Despite his guilty plea, Kuehlem told The Times in December that he was innocent, claiming the dog had chased a ball into a fire, suffering burns in that manner.

The dog was adopted by a husband and wife from the Streator area and is recovering well.

Kuehlem, whose work history last listed him as a self-employed mechanic, had been in the county jail since the battery arrest in early May. However, he was released Friday morning after $1,400 cash bond was posted. Kuehlem is represented by the public defender's office.

Source: My Web Times - June 19, 2006
Update posted on Jun 30, 2006 - 2:30AM

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An Ottawa man was charged Monday in connection with an incident involving an abused dog from earlier this month.

Jason N. Kuehlem Sr., 33, of 2010 Elm St., Ottawa, is charged with failure to provide the duties of an animal owner, a Class B misdemeanor. The charge is punishable by as long as six months in jail, as much as two years probation and as much as a $500 fine.

"It's an appropriate charge for the evidence that was presented to us," said La Salle County State's Attorney Joseph P. Hettel.

Kuehlem was set for his first appearance in La Salle County Circuit Court on Dec. 1 before Circuit Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.

Kuehlem's 1-year-old black male Labrador and husky mix was seized by authorities Nov. 3 after a man saw the dog in Kuehlem's yard, noticed the dog had injuries and called police. The dog was taken to the Illinois Valley Animal Rescue in Peru.

Peggy Rizzo, a state-approved humane investigator, said the dog's injuries indicated the dog had possibly had a flammable agent poured or squirted onto its body and ignited. At the time the dog was seized, the dog had old and new wounds, as well as marks around its neck where a chain had been fastened.

The dog has since been adopted by a family from the Streator area and is doing well, with a veterinarian appointment set for next week.

The dog's name was also changed from "Rebel," to "Champ."

"We wanted a name that reflected that he pulled through," said IVAR President Chris Ellberg.

Kuehlem has served time in prison more than once, and has convictions in La Salle County for aggravated battery to a police officer, damage to property, theft, unlawful restraint, aggravated assault, battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, trespass, resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence. He has also received 36 traffic tickets since 1989 in the county.

Kuehlem has faced a number of charges over the years that were eventually dropped, including a charge of cruelty to an animal in 1991.

Source: My Web Times - November 15, 2005
Update posted on Nov 16, 2005 - 12:36PM

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References

	My Web Times - November 9, 2005
	The Times - June 19, 2006

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Dog burned, accelerant suspectedOttawa, IL (US)

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Dog burned, accelerant suspected
Ottawa, IL (US)