MADISON (WKOW) -- A woman is now charged after Madison police discovered seven dogs locked in a hot car. Five of those animals have died.
Judith Wiesner, 68, appeared in Dane County Court Tuesday on five felony counts of animal mistreatment causing death and two misdemeanor counts of intentionally mistreating animals.
According to the criminal complaint filed against Wiesner, police responded to an animal welfare check Saturday after someone noticed several dogs in a van on Science Drive near Mineral Point Road, while temperatures soared over 80 degrees.
When officers arrived, they found seven Great Danes in the van. Six of them were puppies. The mother and one of the puppies were already dead when officers arrived. The other five puppies were rushed to the hospital, where another three were euthanized due to heat stroke.
Wiesner said she lived in the van and tried to resuscitate the dogs by pouring water and ice on them before authorities arrived.
The district attorney asked for a $1,000 bail, which the court did not grant because Wiesner does not have a criminal background, according to her attorney.
The court commissioner set a signature bond.
Court Commissioner Brian Asmus says because she has no record, he did not find the charge necessary.
"If sitting four days in jail and being charged with multiple felonies wasn't enough to teach somebody who's gone almost 70 years without any criminal charges, then something a lot higher than $1,000 is probably necessary," Asmus said.
Wiesner pleaded not guilty to the two misdemeanor charges and was released until her preliminary hearing on October 2.
She requested to be reunited with the two surviving pets, but was denied.
"You're just not going to be able to be reunited with your other pets at this point," Asmus said. "I think there are requests that you have no contact direct and indirect, possess or own any domesticated animals."
Police are collaborating with animal control to investigate the dogs deaths.
Madison police declined to offer comment further on the investigation.
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