Michael Wondra Arrested For Animal Cruelty
What would you do if you suspected your neighbor was causing grave harm to one of their pets? Would you call the police after taking the risky step of getting up close and personal to investigate?
The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department in Wisconsin arrested Michael J. Wondra on suspicion of felony animal cruelty after a concerned Hudson neighbor decided not to look the other way and instead called the police.
Wondra, 25, spent the weekend in jail. On Sunday he was released after posting a $2,000 bond.
The facts are startlingly brutal. A nine- month-old Golden Lab was discovered tied up outside, letting out agonizing high pitched yelps, shaking, cowering and bleeding from his butt. Upon closer inspection, it was apparent that there was a plastic handled object protruding from his rectum.
This information was relayed to police, who later found an 8-inch spoon with blood and fecal matter on it in the home of the accused. The animal was taken to an emergency clinic but had to be put down because of the extensive injuries.
Area residents are shocked at the crime and trust that a few days in jail does not signal the end of the matter. Reports indicate St. Croix County plans to review the case for possible additional charges.
Michael and his girlfriend have two children in the home, a 9-year-old and a 2-year old. Are they safe? Did they see this happen? Does the gross cruelty inflicted on a defenseless animal signal more than a case of animal abuse?
Filed under: Celebrities
Really….Can I ram rod an 8″ spoon up your a**? What type of person does this kind of thing? A few days in jail is a joke. Idiots like him should not be allowed to have any pets. Send him back to the slammer and let him be someone’s b**ch.
michael wondra should be casterated with a spoon jammed up his rectum! I say do unto others as he did to them!!! He is a disgusting pile of filth! His girlfriend needs to get out now before it is too late!! we are all sickened and all I can say is I better never see this pile of sh*t anywhere near any of my animals or family. His mug shot needs to be displayed everywhere! shame on him!
PIG!!!!!! SOMEONE SHOULD SHOVE A SPOON UP HIS ASS!
This guy should be jailed, and then feel the pain of having something inserted in his behind.
Gah, that makes me so mad!
This is an unconscionable crime. He is a heinous demon who perpetrates upon the helpless. I look into the eyes of my angel dog and I cannot fathom the crime he committed. So, what will happen to him? PETA is on this case as I write. I sent the article to them as soon as I heard it on the news. I am praying that they are effectual in getting some real old fashioned punishment for this pervert. This is truly the worst crime I have heard yet. AND TO TOP IT OFF HE HAS CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE. Did they see the crime? If so, they will be forever haunted by this. Are they the subjects of the same behavior? I am truly sick to think of this poor dog and the poor children who live with him. If he can engage in this act, then what does he do to his children on a daily basis? This is an act that I would say is not possible to be isolated. I am doing all I can by writing and plan to go to the hearing and/or trial if I am allowed there. What do all of you think about this? GET MAD and we need to do something. At least write and spread it around if you do not live close. The beautiful creature is now at peace and no longer suffering with this horrible demon.
Marley, the 9-month-old yellow Lab could have been a wonderful companion, instead, he’s dead, thanks to Michael Wondra. This creep has convictions in Wisconsin and Minnesota. It’s time to put him away for good.
I am sickened by this horrible act of cruelty to this innocent creature of God. As said..”What you do to the least of my brothers, you have done it to me”……..I hope HE’S pissed!!!
Michael Wondra’s case can be found on http://www.wcca.wicourts.gov and then put in his name and all the info comes up. I am going to the hearing and I called a St. Paul writer who personally knows that MANY people will appear at this hearing. We are doing it for the sake of Marley, the animal that was tortured at the hands of this demon. He is now resting in peace. This man needs to be taken out of societal circulation and put in prison.
I am just hallucinating – but FOREVER in prison would be nice!!! This type of act, along with murder, child abuse, should be an act whereby the perpetrator does not get a second chance!!!
Can you belive the authorities havent even notified the father of the 9 year old and the parents of his girlfriend posted bail for this savage the man needs to be put down like his dog had to be!!!!!!!!!
The father only recently found out from a friend. Thankfully the 9 year old was with him the weekend of this tragic event, and does not know what happened to the dog. From what I have heard, there was a phenomenal outpouring of people at the hearing today, supporting animal rights and working to make sure Marley’s voice is heard in the situation.
Don’t serial killers do this sort of thing? May his karma be coming his way,swiftly, and painfully in every way.
Im so glad all of you feel the same way I do.. He has court again on Feb 26 I think But I will doulbe check.. I will be there to show my support. I live in the town this happened in and I have two dogs myself.. when I heard this I was so upset and sad ….Marley would have been a great friend to all Im sure… RIP Marley.
I am the mother of the 2 year old boy.. I was awarded full cousdoty of the child. my son is devostated by the situation and is going through a very hard time. If you are apart of the animal cruretly, please keep up to attending his court hearings I do not want my son to go back.. thank you
The maximum penalty for an I class felony, is 3 years 6 months and a $10,000 fine.
I have been at every hearing.
His girlfriend should be charged with child endangerment.
There is a real winner for you!
The trial is scheduled for April 21st, at 3:00 pm.
Courtroom 4, at the St. Croix County Government Center.
Yes I will be there. I am an owner of two rescue dogs.
I hope the judge, throws the “spoon” at him.
There was a complete account of this disgusting crime in the St. Paul Pioneer press, Friday 1-22-2010. The reporter was Andy Rathbun who can be reached at 651-228-2121 or arathbun@pioneerpress.com. I am writing to the judge and sending him a copy of Mr. Rathbun’s story. I wish all of you could read what this poor puppy endured before dying. Michael Wondra is a monster.
This monster’s arraignment hearing will be April 21st at 3PM. Any letters to the judge: The Honorable Harold Cameron and the District Attorney Eric Johnson @1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wi 54016 expressing outrage in this heinous affair would be greatly appreciated.
Would you believe this guy is out on only $2,000 bond?
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Wondra pleads mental defect
Michael J. Wondra who has been charged with cruelty that led to the death of his dog, pleaded not guilty by reason of mental defect at his arraignment in St. Croix County Court on Friday.
By: Meg Heaton, Hudson Star-Observer
wn of Hudson man charged with animal cruelty pleaded not guilty by reason of mental defect at his arraignment in St. Croix County Court on Friday.
Michael J. Wondra’s attorney entered the plea on behalf of his client. Wondra, 25, is charged with the mistreatment of an animal that resulted in death. He told Judge Howard Cameron that he understood the felony charge against him.
Wondra is accused of shoving a soup ladle into his dog’s rectum and leaving it tied to a pine tree on Jan. 1. A neighbor who heard the dog yelping in pain reported it to authorities. The dog, named Marley, was taken to the Animal Emergency Clinic in St. Paul where a veterinarian said the animal’s rectum was torn and that it needed to be put down.
With the plea Wondra will have to undergo a psychological evaluation. His attorney said his client has already seen a North Hudson psychologist and recommended that he be retained by the court. Judge Cameron said the court would decide who would evaluate Wondra’s mental state at the time of the incident. The district attorney’s office also reserved the right to retain an evaluation of their own.
Wondra, who appeared in court in a t-shirt, shorts and sandals, remains free on a $2,000 cash bond. His next court appearance, which will likely include the findings of his psychological evaluation, is set for June 21 at 8:30 a.m.
The incident drew outrage from neighbors and animal lovers around the county. Calls and letters from people concerned about the animal flooded the offices of the district attorney and the sheriff. About two dozen were in the courtroom .
Keep the pressure on. Write DA St. Croix County WI at St. Croix Govt. center. 1101 Carmichael Road Hudson WI 54016, or call him 715-386-4658.
Next court appearance is June 21 at 8:30 AM. I’m afraid he will be a Sr. citizen before the judicial system deals with him. keep the presure on. I have to keep emailing our local hometown paper dditors to put any infomation about this out for locals to read. They usually only put it on their email additions. A whole group of locals never see where this case stands. Please keep writing the officials.
I have followed this case since day one of Wondra’s court appearance and I will be there for every court appearance until he is put in prison!! What a jerk! I pray they give him the maxium of three year in prison. Get these jerks off the streets and out of the homes where children and wives could be next. I’ve been told he has a criminal record proceeding this cruel, cruel act! Marley is gone (due to this FREAK) and the only thing is…. Marley will never have to feel any more pain inficted by this jerk ever again !!! I refuse to use the work “sick”, because Wondra is NOT sick…..he is MEAN & CRUEL and is using ‘sick’ as a defense! He needs more than a pill.
I truly hope the legal system doesn’t let Marley and the people of Hudson down! We want him behind bars and anyone else that thinks cruelity to animals is okay!!! At some point, Wondra needs to feels Marleys pain. Please, write to the officials…You must be the voice of Marley and any animal being abused.
what a piece of crap, he is….He should be put away for yrs. so he can HARM no one else, including pets. If he gets off on insanity, something is wrong with our court system.
He has evil eyes, and a evil mind. They start with animals and go on to PEOPLE.
hE WON’T READ ANY OF THIS BECAUSE he IS NOT man enough………..srays of the helpless. Get out of Wi. we do not want you in OUR state.
Please, attend any and all of the court appearences on this case. We need to be there in numbers! Let the court system know by our being there that this is not okay. Just because it is dragging on……. our feelings have not faded with it. It will show the officials that we hate what Wondra did and that it is ever present on our minds for justice to be service. Next scheduled appearances: Aug 16th -9:00 am (Pre-trial) and Sept. 2 nd & 3rd at 8:30 (trial). Check with Hudson’s clerk of courts for any changes.
FYI: Always sit behind the DA not behind Wondra and his attorney. Where you sit represents whose side you are on.
Thank you and I hope you will be there.
Wondra needs to be punished for his actions. This poor animal had no second chances. Wondra is a weasle! Who tried pleading not guilty due to mental sickness, now he is pleading guilty 8/16/10). Probably because he can’t prove he was sick when he did it. Marley is dead, because of this loser and I am sure in his own way Marley pleaded for his own life. Why give Wondra a chance? Lock him up and throw away the key.
Girl friend wise up. I understand it was your dog and you couldn’t protect Marley. Think of those kids. You or they could be next. You really want him around as an example in your life. If you stand behind your man, you are as big of loser as he is!!!
Wondra’s current address is on N. Pearl St. in River Falls.
This was in the local paper, he plead guilty.
A man who injured a dog with a soup ladle in Hudson, Wis., leading to the animal’s death, pleaded guilty this morning to a felony charge in the case.
Michael Wondra, 26, entered the plea in St. Croix County Circuit Court after withdrawing his previous plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. The charge — mistreatment of animals causing death — carries a maximum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison.
Sentencing was set for Nov. 11, following a presentence investigation.
On Jan. 1, a neighbor heard yelping outside the Hudson home Wondra lived in at the time and found a 9-month-old yellow Lab with a soup ladle sticking out of its anus. The animal was bleeding and appeared to be in pain, the criminal complaint states.
The dog — named Marley — was taken to an emergency animal clinic. An examination showed the animal’s colon was likely perforated, and the dog was euthanized.
Andy Rathbun can be reached at
Thanks Ricky! Yep, Old Michael needs to spend the rest of his life behind bars enduring more than a soup ladle shoved up his ass!!!!!!!!!! Broom handle, perhaps? I have two rescue dogs of my own and work for a dog rescue service! When I read this article I was at work and could not wait to get home and hug and kiss my boys!!!!!!
OMG! HE GOT PROBATION!!!! GO TO CCAP! THE DUDE HAS TONS OF THINGS AGAINST HIM NOT JUST THIS! HE’S A PIECE OF CRAP AND HE GOT FREAKING PROBATION?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
He got probation, yes, but 8 months in county jail as well. Not enough if you ask me but the judge put a lot of thought into the sentence and explained his reasons for not putting him in prison, and he made a lot of sense- such as once he is sentenced to prison, the Judge loses any authority over what happens to him, and he could be out much sooner if the state decides the prison is overcrowded.
Needs a can of zyclon b dropped in his cell to satisfy me!
Is this the same guy that was released in March 2011 on a work release order so that he can take care of his girlfriends 9-year-old daughter and their 10-month-old son, UNSUPERVISED during the day, EACH DAY????
RIP Marley. You are not forgotten, but fondly remembered. Wondra should have a chain saw put up his butt, and tied up outside in freezing weather in agonizing pain. He should be in prison and the keys thrown away. What a scum. No excuses for poor baby SICK disgusting Wondra. Marley did not get a second chance, so why should Wondra? I hope his poor kids can deal with this.
This Monster lives in River Falls with the same girlfriend. It’s been said that the father of the 9 year old has been trying to get this child out of that dangerous home for over a year now, as the the 2 year old has been thankfully removed and placed with the mother. The system is not only letting this monster out of jail to watch a 9 year old and a new baby but are giving no regard to the father of the 9 year and have been making him go thru hoops just to get more time with his daughter. According to the so called “gaurdian ad liam” Mike the dog rappest and murder is safe and okay to be in the home. They claim bad meds, so next time his “meds” are mixed up and not right on, the kids get it like the dog did. All history says a person like that starts with their pets and moves on to children later. I hear they can’t even have animals in the house but young helpless children are ok. The mother of these kids must be messed up herself to allow this monster around her children.