Waupaca – A Waupaca resident, Carrie Klenke, 46, pleaded not guilty Monday to three misdemeanor animal‑cruelty charges after police entered her hotel room for a welfare check and found her dog, Jax, confined in a zip‑tied kennel.
Police welfare check leads to discovery
On May 6, officers responded to a call at a hotel on Fulton Street after staff reported a foul odor emanating from a room that had not been occupied for several days. The odor was described as “like a decomposing body.” After obtaining permission to enter, one officer entered the room while another stayed outside due to the smell.
Inside, the officer noted dog‑pee pads scattered across the floor and heard a dog whimpering. The animal was located in a kennel whose door had been zip‑tied shut. Blankets at the bottom of the kennel were described as “filthy and crusty,” with a few small pieces of dog food mixed in.
Condition of the dog
Fire‑department responders removed Jax, a half‑Dogo, half‑Boxer, from the kennel. The complaint notes that Jax appeared to be at a healthy weight. He was given water repeatedly, drinking four full bottles and part of a fifth.
Following the rescue, Klenke surrendered custody of Jax, and the dog was taken to the local humane society for care.
Charges and court proceedings
Klenke faces three misdemeanor counts: intentionally mistreating animals, intentionally failing to provide food, and intentionally providing improper shelter. She also faces a bail‑jumping charge related to an unrelated case. Klenke waived a preliminary hearing on the animal‑cruelty charges, and no trial date has been set.
Klenke’s explanation
During the investigation, Klenke told police that a friend was supposed to care for Jax. She said she had moved out of the hotel about three weeks before the welfare check and could keep only one dog in her new apartment, so she left Jax at the hotel while searching for a new home for him.
Klenke claimed she had been feeding and watering Jax each morning and evening after moving out, but admitted she fell ill on April 27 and stopped working, which limited her ability to check on the dog. She estimated her last visit to the hotel was around April 28 or 29, though she could not confirm the exact date.
Community response
Local animal‑welfare advocates expressed concern over the conditions in which Jax was found, emphasizing the importance of proper shelter and regular care for pets. The Waupaca Police Department reiterated its commitment to investigating animal‑cruelty reports promptly.
The case underscores the responsibility of pet owners to provide adequate housing, nutrition, and medical attention, especially when transitioning between living situations.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
