Who, age	What	Where	When	Last Known Address
Leonard J. Kritz, 21	Decapitating birds, snakes and a chinchilla to punish his wife	West Bend, WI Washington County	April 25, 1999
Type of Crime	Other Crimes	#/Type of animal(s) involved	Case Status	Next Court Date
Plead down from felony to misdemeanor	intimidating witnesses, domestic abuse	4 birds, a python, a boa constrictor, a snake, 1 chinchilla	Convicted

Enraged with his wife, a West Bend man killed eight family pets by cutting their heads off to teach her a lesson, according to a criminal complaint.

Leonard J. Kritz , 21, appeared in Washington County Circuit Court on eight counts of animal cruelty and four counts of intimidating witnesses.

He is alleged to have threatened to kill his wife, her mother and two friends for reporting the animal deaths to authorities.

Kritz remained in the Washington County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 36 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Holly Bunch called Kritz's alleged actions "extraordinarily violent" as she argued that he should have no contact with those he allegedly intimidated nor be allowed near house pets.

"The witnesses in this case are in danger of great bodily harm and even death based on (his) explicit threats to kill four and possibly five people," Bunch said.

According to the criminal complaint, after an argument over the weekend, Kritz told his wife that the only way they could stay married was if she "disown her parents" and that he be allowed to kill her pets.

He then got a World War II bayonet, the complaint says.

"The defendant further stated he intended on teaching her a lesson . . . he started sharpening (the bayonet) while his wife went into the bedroom and started saying goodbye to the pets," the complaint says.

Kritz allegedly told investigators he put on gloves and prepared the kitchen by placing a board in the sink.

"He killed his wife's pet chinchilla by stabbing it in the back of the neck and then grabbed one of her pet birds and cut off its head in the sink," the complaint says.

Kritz allegedly killed four birds, a python, a boa constrictor and another snake in addition to the chinchilla. One of the snakes fought so vigorously that Kritz had to stand on its head to kill it, the complaint says.

His wife tried to stop Kritz from killing the remaining animals in their apartment, the complaint says.

"The defendant stated to her, `I will let you keep them, I think you have learned your lesson,' " the complaint says.

Kritz allegedly admitted to killing the animals.

"The defendant wanted to kill another snake, but his wife pleaded with him not do so. (He) states that at that point, `he knew that (the woman) had learned what he wanted to prove,' " the complaint says.

Kritz then allegedly bagged up the carcasses and threw them into a trash receptacle.

Kritz allegedly also confessed to threatening to kill his wife, her mother and two friends after his wife returned from the police station to report the deaths of her pets.

"The defendant admitted that he told (her) and her friends that he was going to kill all three of them . . . (and he) specifically stated that if he went to jail, he was going to hire someone to kill (his mother-in-law)," the complaint says.

During the hearing Bunch said Kritz's wife was not asking the court to keep her husband from contacting her but authorities thought it was necessary to have a no-contact order.

Kritz asked to speak at the conclusion of the hearing.  "Me and my wife beg you to have leniency to let us see each other," he said.

Circuit Judge Leo Schlaefer denied his request.

Update 5/4/99:  If the allegations are proven in court, the case against a West Bend man accused of killing eight family pets to teach his wife a lesson is a classic description of domestic abuse, local experts say.

The issue is not only violence against animals, though that is a serious matter in and of itself. The issue is domestic violence, say those who work with victims in Washington County.

"We all get enraged because animals are killed, and that animal becomes the `victim,' but the animal is the message," said Linda White of Friends of Abused Families, the local shelter for battered women and their children.

Kritz and his wife Stacy, age 20, were married about a month ago.

Kritz appeared in Washington County Circuit Court. He remains free on $20,000 bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for May 24. The criminal complaint says Kritz admitted to the actions, but he has not yet entered a plea in the case.

As it relates to domestic violence, the issue in a case like this is control, experts say.  When a woman fearful of a particular threat calls the shelter, "it's almost never that a client has received no other threats," said Kim Lechner, legal services coordinator for Friends of Abused Families.

"When you see the dynamics of an abusive relationship, you see there are other methods of control, such as coercion, threats, isolating the victim, minimizing his behavior, blaming her that he had to act that way."  Often, to exert control, the abuser uses whatever the victim loves most.  "It's no different than smashing her favorite dishes," said District Attorney David Resheske.

"If it's Precious Moments figurines, he trashes those," said Holly Bunch, an assistant district attorney. "If it's kids, he abuses those. If it's animals, he hurts those."  While Bunch emphasized that she could not discuss details of the Kritz case, she said it is not uncommon for an abuser to engage in destructive action against whatever is "near and dear to the victim."

White, domestic violence program coordinator at Friends of Abused Families, said the shelter's checklist includes whether threats have been made against animals.

She experienced that abuse firsthand before leaving her husband 10 years ago.  "My aquarium of fish got set out in freezing weather," she said. "The whole aquarium was frozen solid when I got home. The message was clear: At some point, this is you. And it wasn't just me. After that, that threat was in so many words."

Other cases have involved cows being beaten, a pet iguana being killed and a cat hanged to death in a basement.

White and others stressed that they could not discuss any specific case. Based on information in news accounts, however, White speculated on what such behavior would mean.  "Let's talk about the message he gave," she said of the allegations. "Where did he leave that ongoing message? In the house, in the kitchen, on the bread board . . . What better way to control someone?"

To help women leave abusive relationships, the Washington County Humane Society offers its "Safe Pets, Safe People" program.  The animal shelter will take in any animals free, often by finding foster homes, for clients referred by the Friends. Typically, that means care for cats and dogs, but exotic animals also will be given shelter.

"It's imperative that everyone and everything gets out," said Marnie Brown, animal shelter executive director. "Someone who commits an act against an animal is perfectly capable of moving that violence to a member of the family."

Update 5/5/99:  When a mother was told that her daughter's beloved pets had been slaughtered, she knew she had to so something.

The Colleen Ruhnke spoke in an interview explaining the circumstances that led her to call a local agency about her son-in-law (Kritz).

"She called me and said, `Mom, you can't call me anymore and I can't call you,' " Ruhnke said.  Why, she asked her daughter.  'Because Leonard won't let me,' " she said her daughter answered.  "I asked her why and she said, `Leonard killed eight of my animals,' " the mother repeated.  "I asked her to leave because I thought she was in danger, and she didn't think she was," Ruhnke said. "And that's when I went for help."

The agency notified police.

For whatever reasons, the daughter, who is not being named, has not wanted to have contact with her, the mother said.  "I did what I felt I had to do," she said. "I did what any mother would do to protect her child. I'd rather have her mad at me and hate me and breathing than the other way around."

The woman described her daughter as a true animal lover. She said she knew how much the slaughter of the animals must have hurt her daughter.  "She's loved animals all her life. She was always bringing anything home and trying to fix it -- a bird or anything -- if it was hurt," she said. "Leonard knew how much she loved those animals."

And she wants her daughter to know that she would do anything for her -- up to and including letting her bring the surviving pet snakes home -- just to keep her safe.  "I feel so bad for her," she said. "All I want to do is hold her and give her a hug and let her know how much her father and I love her."

Update 5/25/99:  Kritz will be allowed to see his wife, a judge ruled.  Kritz was barred from having any contact with his wife by a Washington County judge at a hearing on April 28.

The bail modification hearing was held after Kritz asked that his $20,000 cash bail be lowered and that he be allowed to see his wife.

Kritz's wife told Judge Lawrence Waddick during the hearing that she wanted to see her husband.  "We did have a fight (the night before)," she said. "(A) decision was made to kill the animals, and I agreed to this because I didn't want to lose him."

Assistant District Attorney Holly Bunch vigorously opposed modifying the bail conditions.  "It's hard to imagine a case where a no-contact order could be more necessary," she said. "The defendant executed the family pets. (He made) unambiguous threats to kill her and other material witness if he were incarcerated."

Defense attorney William Mayer tried to read a portion of a statement from another witness but was not allowed to do so.  "Your honor, the way the district attorney states the facts is subject to rebuttal," he said.

Kritz's wife told the judge she was not scared of her husband.  "I don't believe Leonard would hurt me," she said. "He has never hurt me and he never will. If I was afraid of him, I wouldn't be here."

Waddick removed the no-contact order but said Kritz could have no contact with any household pets.

The defendant's parents posted the bail by taking out a line of credit against their home, according to his father, Larry. He asked the court to lower the amount.

Waddick said he was shocked and disturbed about the allegations in the criminal complaint and denied the reduction request.

Update 7/6/99:  Trial has been ordered Kritz.  Kritz waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

The state now intends to prosecute only one of the four intimidation counts in addition to the animal cruelty charges, said Holly Bunch, the assistant district attorney on the case.  The remaining count involves a threat to his wife's mother. The other three likely will not be prosecuted because those witnesses now do not believe "that the defendant's threats to kill them . . . were serious," Bunch said.

The incident with the animals occurred April 25, about a month after the couple were married.

Kritz is scheduled to appear in court July 14, when he is expected to enter a plea on the remaining charges.

Update 7/15/99:  Kritz plead not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial.

Kritz's defense attorney William Mayer sought to have his client's bail reduced from the original $20,000 to either a signature bond or substantially less cash.  The $20,000 bail was posted by the defendant's father, who borrowed the money and is in a "dire financial situation right now," Mayer said.

He described Kritz as a lifelong resident of Washington County who has no criminal history and is living with his wife at his parents' home.

Reserve Judge John Mickiewicz noted that an earlier request to modify bail had been denied. He said the complaint indicates that "there's far more to this" than just the alleged animal abuse.  "I'm not inclined to change bail," Mickiewicz said. "Bail will continue as previously set."

A two-day jury trial is tentatively set for Oct. 5, with a Sept. 20 hearing to review the status of the case.

Update 1/10/00:  Kritz may spend seven months in jail as part of a plea agreement.  A jury trial for Kritz was scheduled to begin today in Washington County Circuit Court but was canceled in light of the likely plea agreement.

The recommended plea agreement calls for charges to be reduced to three misdemeanor counts of animal abuse. Kritz would be sentenced to nine months in jail on each count, which would be stayed for four years of probation. One key condition of probation would be seven months in the county jail.

An animals rights spokeswoman, however, questioned whether charges should be reduced from felony to misdemeanor status.  "It's just a horrific example of a man controlling a woman by killing her animals," said Tina Kaske, executive director of the Alliance for Animals, based in Madison.

"In domestic abuse cases, when a woman loves her animals, they are often used against her," Kaske said. "He chose to methodically and coldbloodedly kill her animals and kill them in front of her. . . . Yes, we're happy he may be out of commission for seven months, but he's a very dangerous man not to have felonies on his record."

Assistant District Attorney Holly Bunch said that she could not discuss the circumstances of the pending plea agreement.

Kritz's attorney, Jeremy Przybyla, said Kritz was not yet prepared to change his not guilty plea, but that the defense had "no intention of proceeding to trial."

Kritz next appears in court Feb. 9.

Update 2/10/00:  Sentencing for Kritz was delayed, mainly to allow him to be with his wife for the upcoming birth of their child.  Kritz plead no contest to three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty as part of a planned plea agreement. Any remaining counts would be dismissed at sentencing.  Under the plea agreement, Kritz could be placed on probation for four years and serve seven months in the Washington County Jail.

Kritz had faced eight felony counts one each for the birds, snakes and chinchilla that he's accused of killing and one misdemeanor count of intimidating a witness.

Defense attorney Jeremy Przybyla sought the sentencing delay.  "Mr. Kritz and his wife are currently expecting a child at the end of April," he said. "He wants to help his wife out through the pregnancy, including Lamaze classes."

Holly Bunch, assistant district attorney, noted that the case involved "rather unusual circumstances" and had attracted the attention of animal rights advocates. Many people have expressed interest in the case and the sentencing, she said.

Washington County Circuit Judge Leo Schlaefer said he would review all letters received before sentencing, set for April 4, nearly one year after the incident in which Kritz allegedly stabbed the animals or cut off their heads.

Kritz's wife Stacy did not attend the hearing. But her mother, Colleen Ruhnke, the victim in the intimidation count, was asked if she objected to the delay.  Ruhnke, who has had little contact with her daughter since reporting the incident to an agency, said that Kritz should be allowed to be with her daughter for the birth.  "She also has her family to help her out if she needs anything," the mother said.

After the hearing, Przybyla confirmed that the defense hoped to delay any jail time until after the baby was born, perhaps to sometime in May.

Update 4/14/00:  Kritz, now 22, will serve seven months in the Washington County Jail for killing eight of his wife's pets after he learned she had had an abortion.

Kritz was sentenced to a total of 27 months in jail on three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals, but that term was stayed in favor of four years of probation and conditions that include seven months in jail.

Kritz will be eligible for Huber privileges that may allow release for work and child care. Any violation of those terms will result in the 27-month jail sentence.

Kritz pleaded no contest. As part of a plea agreement, charges were reduced from felonies to misdemeanors, or dismissed and read into the record for sentencing purposes.

"What happened was agreed to," Stacy Kritz, 20, told the court. "I told him I had an abortion. . . . I don't really know why, but it was agreed upon, as part of a punishment."  She is now expecting a child, due this month, and hoped to have her husband at home and at work for their family.

Defense attorney Jeremy Przybyla said that both had suffered as a result of the incident.  "Certainly, the fact that the abortion occurred does not excuse what Mr. Kritz did, but it does explain it," Przybyla said. "He's developed a stronger relationship with his wife as a result of this entire incident."

The defendant said that was true.  "The past mistakes that my wife and I have made have hurt us both," he said. "The biggest thing I lost was a child. . . . I also lost my good name. What I did to those eight animals was not an easy thing to do. . . . I didn't know this would happen . . . and I never said what I did was right."

Others, however, painted a very different picture of Kritz's actions.

Stacey Kritz's mother, Colleen Ruhnke, spoke about the day that her daughter called, saying that they could no longer speak.  "She explained to me what had happened and she was in fear of Leonard, and what he had just done," said Ruhnke, who sought help for her daughter.

"They blame me for the hard times that they are now having," she said. "I only acted as any mother would under these circumstances. . . . Someday my daughter will see just how important it is to a parent to see that their child is safe. . . . Then maybe she will understand and talk to me again. Until then, her father and I will continue to love her and pray that she and her child are safe, and that Leonard gets the help he needs."

Holly Bunch, assistant district attorney, questioned the extent to which the couple had agreed to the execution of the animals.  "The connection between domestic abuse and the violence toward animals is well documented," she said, adding that threats against pets, friends and family are often used to control a victim.

Bunch noted that more than 100 letters had been received from all over the country, many from animal rights activists outraged at the prospect of Kritz receiving only seven months in jail.

Saying she was a member of such an organization, Bunch said that seven months was an unusually stiff penalty for animal abuse and that the case must be considered in light of other even more serious cases, including the abuse of children.  "I am concerned, judge, that we don't have that kind of outcry over those cases," Bunch said.

Circuit Judge Leo Schlaefer agreed.  "I'm not sure that the defendant was acting because of the abortion," Schlaefer said. "Regardless of the philosophical or religious position one takes on abortion, there's absolutely no reason to be violent.  "Pet by pet, animal by animal," he said. "I think it's fairly well documented that the next step after assaulting animals is assaulting human beings."

Other conditions of probation for Kritz include no violent contact with his wife, no contact with her parents without permission and no possession of any dangerous weapon. Kritz may not live in a residence with any pets and must cooperate in any counseling programs.

Kritz begins his sentence June 12, after the birth of the couple's child.

References:

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

APB News