March 26, 2025 – Dodge Co., Wi – On Monday, February 24, 2025, a deputy with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded to an address in the town of Elba for a report of an animal mistreatment allegation.
The deputy located a severely malnourished dog in the garage area of the residence, which was then surrendered to the Dodge County Humane Society. The dog was a female poodle mixed-breed dog that was approximately two years in age.
The dog was transferred to a veterinary clinic in Dodge County, and additional veterinary resources were also utilized in the attempt to revive the dog. Ultimately, the dog died during the early morning hours on March 7, 2025.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division requested a forensic necropsy on the dog. It was determined the dog was severely emaciated and died as a result of chronic starvation.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, deputies with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded back to the residence in the town of Elba. At that time, James R. Dettloff (47) and Tashina R. Dettloff (31) were arrested for animal cruelty violations and transported to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Jail.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Dodge County Humane Society for their continued collaboration and service to Dodge County. Additionally, we would like to thank the veterinary service providers for the assistance and care they provided during this investigation. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Dodge County Humane Society, Marsh View Veterinary Clinic, Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center – Waukesha, Madison Veterinary Specialists, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the Columbus Police Department.
As a reminder, these arrested persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
