The animal mistreatment case against a Wisconsin Rapids man has been dismissed.
According to the criminal complaint, on June 9, 2009 a humane officer responded to a home on Oak Street in Wisconsin Rapids for the report of a mutilated four or five-month-old dog. The officer stated she was approached by Nong Vang, who was 15-years-old at the time, Vang told the officer it was his puppy and he could do with it whatever he wanted.
The veterinarian who examined the puppy recommended that Vang be charged with animal mistreatment. The animal had to be put down due to an infection.
Vang's attorney tells NewsChannel 7, in order to move a case from juvenile court to adult court a wavier hearing has to be held. That hearing was not held, therefore the District Attorney's Office filed a motion to dismissed the case.
The practice of clipping a dog's ears, known as cropping, is commonly done to certain breeds like Pit bulls, Doberman Pinschers, Schnauzers, Great Danes and Boxers for cosmetic reasons.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says dogs involved in dog fighting often have their ears clipped to prevent allowing another animal to grab onto them during a fight. It also makes it harder for another animal to read the dog's body language.
In Wisconsin, a charge of animal mistreatment carries a maximum sentence of three-and-half years in prison.
