After another large animal rescue from uninhabitable home, humane society seeks donations
By Brandi Makuski
For the second time in as many months, the Humane Society of Portage County has taken in a large number of animals from an uninhabitable home.
The Humane Society of Portage County rescued eight cats from a home in the town of Grant.
After obtaining a search warrant for the home on March 29, Portage Co. deputies found three dead dogs — including one puppy that was found in a closet — and one dead rabbit in a home that “wasn’t in livable condition” on the 10500 block of Grant St., located near the Wood Co. line.
The property owner, 31-year-old Ashley Rainville, was arrested on four counts of mistreating an animal, which is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 under Wisconsin law.
But the Portage Co. District Attorney’s Office is considering increasing those to felony counts, provided investigators can prove that Rainville knowingly caused the animals’ deaths.
Sherri Galle-Teske, director of the humane society, was not able to comment specifically on the town of Grant rescue, citing the ongoing investigation at the sheriff’s office.
But she did say the HSPC currently has an abundance of animals — and limited resources to care for them.
“Our shelter does not have a history of receiving large groups of animals all at once,” Galle-Teske said. “We have made a lot of adjustments to current operations, and are providing the best care to the shelter animals we possibly can. Public support is really appreciated as a full shelter does deplete our resources.”
Beyond monetary donations, Galle-Teske said the humane society could use the following:
- Canned cat & kitten food (Friskies or IAMS Pate only)
- Dry Cat food (IAMS, Purina One)
The HSPC also took in 16 dogs in March from a dilapidated home in the Bancroft area. The suspect in that case, William Scarce, faces 16 counts of misdemeanor mistreating an animal.
