Chippewa County (WQOW) - More information is coming out about those involved in a possible animal abuse investigation. This is not be the first time the homeowner was investigated for possibly having too many dogs.
Earlier this week, fire destroyed a home in the Town of Howard. Chippewa County sheriff's deputies found 63 dogs in a separate building. They had to use breathing equipment because of the overwhelming stench inside. The property owner, Katherine Henry, had a similar run-in with Eau Claire Police seven years ago. Police were called to her house on Vine Street and found 25 dogs living in unsanitary conditions in handmade wooden kennels in the basement. The City of Eau Claire only allows two dogs within city limits, while Chippewa County does not have a limit.
"They will eventually move out, and that's what happens, and if they move into the county, like this one did, they don't have a number on how many pets they can have, so they're normally not vaccinated, and they just keep stockpiling," says Bonnie Bertrang, Eau Claire Police Department Lead Community Service Officer
In that case, Henry surrendered 15 dogs to the Eau Claire County Humane Association, the other 10 went to a breeder. Henry was not fined or charged.
As of Friday morning, the dogs from the most recent case were still on the Chippewa County property, as that investigation continues.
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Chippewa County (Press Release) - Chippewa County Sheriff's Office Investigators along with Inspectors from the State Division of Animal Health are looking into possible violations related to housing and breeding numerous dogs at the residence of Katherine Henry 7201 25th Street in the Town of Howard in Chippewa County.
This is the same location of a fire earlier this week that destroyed the house on the property.
On the date of the fire, Chippewa Fire District fire officials notified the Chippewa County Sheriff' Office of a large number of dachshund dogs seen in a separate building on the property.
Upon entering the building with the owner to retrieve two dogs unrelated to the fire, fire officials advised they were overcome by the smell of urine and dog feces and contacted the sheriff's office to further investigate.
Deputies counted at least 63 dogs in the building and utilized fire department breathing apparatus to enter the area due to the overwhelming stench.
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Chippewa County (Press Release) - On Wednesday, January 31 at approximately 1:30 a.m. the Chippewa Fire District responded to a reported structure fire at 7201 25th Street in the Town of Howard in Chippewa County. First arriving units found heavy fire coming from the Northeast corner of a multi-story residential structure.
The home was occupied at the time of the fire by Matthew Pike and Katherine Henry. Henry's four children were also home at the time of the fire. Henry was awakened by the sound of breaking glass and light from the fire. Henry was able to awaken Pike and the children. The fire did not activate the smoke detectors in the house. Pike attempted to rescue 4 dogs from the fire but was unsuccessful in his attempt. Three of the four dogs were lost in the fire.
Both Henry and Pike were treated at the scene for non-life threatening injuries. The four children were not harmed by the fire.
All four stations of the Chippewa Fire District responded to the fire with mutual aid provided by the Elk Mound Fire Department, the Colfax Fire Department and the Tilden Fire Department. The Red Cross is assisting the family.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but the fire is not considered to be suspicious in nature. Damage estimate is approximately $150,000.
