Agriculture
Viroqua man accused of animal abuse for death of horse, while second horse had to be euthanized

The discovery of a dead horse outside a Vernon County residence has led to animal abuse charges against a 27-year-old man.

Kaden Hartje of Viroqua is charged with seven criminal counts, including failure to provide sufficient food or water for an animal and mistreatment of animals causing death.
Sheriff’s officers investigated the horse’s death at Hartje’s home on Jan. 17. A second horse at the site was euthanized.
Hartje was out-of-town, but cooperated with officers. He was arrested this week, and his next court appearance is on February 28th.
Other animals were taken to new shelter by the time Hartje was arrested. Meth and marijuana were found in searches of two vehicles.
