Rural podunk Chester, Wisconsin is now without a town chairman or an animal control officer sooner than they had expected as Richard Van Buren, who served in both capacities, died Wednesday of complications from surgery weeks after he was charged with using a leash to strangle a golden retriever a woman had turned over to him after finding the dog on a walking path, WBAY reports .
The 55 year-old Van Buren had been charged with felony mistreatment of animals/cause death after, per a complaint obtained by WKOW, the dog bit the rural politician as he tried to put her in a kennel, sending him into a rage in which he pretty much hanged her with the leash and collar.
Hours of attempts to ascertain Van Buren’s politics were unsuccessful and the chairmanship post he held is officially non-partisan. On the same token, he sure as shit did not look like a leftist and a search of donors with the same surname in the area shows an extensive history of supporting Republicans, especially notorious piece of shit former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
Not exactly important but still funny from WBAY’s article: “Due to Van Buren’s death, it’s likely the case will be dismissed, as that is usually the course of action in these circumstances, according to the district attorney’s office.” Why is it just “likely” and what would the second-most usual course of action be when a criminal defendant dies before trial? How else could this shake out?