Strunkenburg indicted by VW grand jury

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Former Van Wert County dog warden Rich Strunkenburg has been indicted on four counts of prohibitions concerning companion animals, each a fifth-degree felony, in connection with his operation of the county Humane Shelter.

The indictment, handed down Friday by the Van Wert County Grand Jury, was the result of an investigation by Paulding County Prosecutor Joseph R. Burkhard, who was acting as special prosecutor in the case, as well as an investigation on July 20 by Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach’s office into a complaint of maltreatment of animals at the Humane Shelter.

Strunkenburg will appear Wednesday in Common Pleas Court for an arraignment hearing on the charges. He faces a maximum of 48 months in prison, if convicted.

Strunkenburg was fired July 31 by the County Board of Commissioners following the conclusion of Sheriff Riggenbach’s investigation. The commissioners charged the former dog warden with “incompetency, inefficiency, gross neglect of duty, misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance and failure of good behavior” and gave four specific reasons for his firing. Those included 1. Failure to supply adequate food and water to dogs at the shelter; 2. Failure to adequately clean the kennels and cage area; 3. Failure to secure the animals in the facility; and, 4. Failure to supply adequate care and attention to the animals.

After Strunkenburg was fired, Common Pleas Judge Charles D. Steele appointed Burkhard at the request of Van Wert County Prosecutor Charles F. Kennedy III to determine whether criminal charges were appropriate.

Sheriff Riggenbach had been appointed last August to supervise the dog warden’s position after the commissioners learned of complaints Strunkenburg wasn’t adequately handling calls and providing services.

At that time, there were no complaints of problems at the Humane Shelter. Those came July 20 and the sheriff immediately sent deputies to the facility to investigate. What they found resulted in Sheriff Riggenbach placing Strunkenburg on paid administrative leave pending completion of the investigation.

At this point, the commissioners, members of the Van Wert County Humane Society board and Sheriff Riggenbach are in discussions on a restructuring of the dog warden/humane officer positions.

Currently, Deputy Sergeant Randy Averesch, a former K-9 handler, is handling the duties of dog warden.

The commissioners are also seeking more input from the public on the situation, while also issuing a call to those wanting to volunteer at the Humane Shelter. Those interested can call the commissioners at 419.238.6159 or the sheriff’s office at 419.238.3866.