Wisconsin: Charles Weissmiller declared insane after trying to skin his dog alive

WISCONSIN -- A 66-year-old Clark County man who told investigators that he "tried to skin his dog alive" pleaded guilty to one felony Wednesday and a judge ruled he was insane at the time, according to online Clark County court records.

Charles Weissmiller was convicted of one count of mistreatment of animals, court records said.

With the insanity ruling, the judge agreed Weissmiller did not know right from wrong at the time he hurt his dog and was not responsible for his actions, meaning his punishment must be in a mental hospital, not a jail or prison.

Weissmiller's dog, named Sammy, was taken to a veterinary clinic in Owen on May 15 with some of her fur and flesh missing, the criminal complaint said.

Weissmiller told an investigator that he had "tried to skin his dog alive" after he had cut himself at his home in Withee because he no longer wanted the dog, believed to be a German Shepherd/Labrador mix, the complaint said.

"His plan was to kill her by cutting her fur off," the complaint said.

 

The dog had gotten away and was taken to the vet by Withee police who believed she was injured in a vehicle accident, the complaint said.

The dog underwent numerous surgeries and recovered, police have said.

Weissmiller was ordered into the custody of the state Department of Health and Human Services, court records said. His sentencing was set for March 17.

(WAOW - Feb 11, 2015)