Nov 21, 2019

2 Kan. suspects accused of shooting pit bull puppy appear in court

Posted Nov 21, 2019 7:22 PM



Willinger photo Pawnee County


PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two individuals in connection with a pit bull puppy found shot in mid August in Pawnee County that had to be euthanized.


Tiffany Willinger, 51 and Kimberly Willinger, 49 both of Larned, appeared Thursday before Pawnee County Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell in connection with the ongoing cruelty to animal investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.


Mr. Willinger is charged with Cruelty to Animals done without malicious intent, to wit: shot pit bull puppy multiple times, Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: provided false information to a Pawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy 


Mrs. Willinger is charged with Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: provided false information to a Pawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy. All charges are Class A nonperson misdemeanors, according to McNett.


As used in the Kansas Cruelty to Animal statute, “maliciously” is defined as a state of mind characterized by actual evil-mindedness or a specific intent to do a harmful act without a reasonable justification or excuse, according to McNett.

Arraignments are scheduled for December 12.


The approximately 7 or 8-month-old male pit bull puppy was found on O Road between 110th and 120th Roads just north of Larned, according to Sheriff Scott King. Someone shot the dog eight times with a .22 caliber rifle

With the assistance of social media, the sheriff’s office posted photos on Facebook and followed leads to make an arrest.