June 5, 2017 at 4:19 p.m.
Rhinelander man charged in death of dog
Rhinelander man charged in death of dog
According to the criminal complaint, Robert J. Runnerstrom was arrested after a caller dialed 9-1-1 at about 7 p.m. to report that Runnerstrom had allegedly killed a dog belonging to one of the residents of the house. The caller identified Runner-strom by name as the person who told her the dog was dead.
Because Runnerstrom had two outstanding arrest warrants in Oneida County and one from Langlade County, several members of the Oneida County Sheriff's Department, Rhinelander Police Department and two troopers from the State Patrol arrived on the scene.
After setting up a perimeter, several deputies approached the residence where they could hear loud male and female voices, along with other sounds, according to the report of one of the deputies attached to the criminal complaint. After police gained entrance to the premises, Runnerstrom and a woman inside were taken into custody. The report states the woman told the deputies Runnerstrom was not in the house but he was found a few moments later by other deputies.
The woman told deputies that Runnerstrom had told her the dog had gotten into some bleach, but the animal could not be located in or near the house. While searching the property outside, deputies found a plastic garbage bag that contained the dog, still alive. It was taken to a veterinarian in Rhinelander where it later died.
The vet told deputies that the dog had a fractured skull and bruising underneath the belly.
According to online court records, Runnerstrom made his initial court appearance before Branch II judge Michael Bloom May 30 on a charge of mistreatment of animals, a class I felony, along with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping. Bloom set the $2,500 cash bond t that time and the matter was adjourned until Monday so that he could obtain a lawyer.
In court Monday, Bloom scheduled Runnerstrom's preliminary hearing for June 16.
The maximum penalty on the felony charge is 3.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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