BROOKFIELD — A California woman visiting her parents in Brookfield is accused of abusing their bulldog, causing injuries that eventually killed her.
47-year-old Rebecca Schroederus was charged with mistreating animals on Wednesday, a felony, after Brookfield Police investigated reports of her harming a dog on August 14th.
The criminal complaint says that Brookfield Police responded to a residence on Norhardt Drive for reports of an animal being abused after neighbors witnessed Schroderus dragging the dog through a parking lot.
Witnesses say that Dolly the bulldog was bleeding from her mouth as she was dragged. But when the owners arrived, they tried taking the dog away, preventing anyone from providing help, the complaint said.
When police arrived, they found the dog in grave condition, struggling to breathe and with her legs sprawled out on the ground.
Neighbors told investigators that Schroederus aggressively dragged Dolly by the leash through grass for about 20 yards. When the dog was dragged along the blacktop, a neighbor intervened and told the woman that she was abusing the dog.
Investigators said that Schroederus' father quickly arrived and grabbed the dog leash, pulling it to get the dog moving. Witnesses initially thought that he was reluctant to help the dog, attempting to quickly take her back inside.
The dog was eventually taken to a vet who reported that she was in serious condition requiring breathing assistance from oxygen. After being examined, the vet found significant damage to her throat consistent with strangulation. The bulldog died the next day, according to the complaint.
Surveillance footage obtained by police showed Schroederus dragging Dolly through grass and over the pavement, according to the complaint.
Rebecca Schroederus had just arrived in town that day to visit her parents.
She admitted to police that she could have "pulled a little too hard," on the leash. She mentioned to investigators that she didn't have any intentions of hurting the dog
Schroederus is due back in the Waukesha County courthouse on September 3rd.
