The Fond du Lac County Sheriff says investigators are still not sure of the motive of the killing spree of deer and other widlife in portions of Fond du Lac, Washington and Dodge counties. Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt says it’s one of the most horrific cases of animal cruelty he has ever seen. Investigators believe well over 100 deer were shot and or killed between late spring 2023 and July 2024 in a 200 square mile area between Campbellsport, Waucousta, Lomira, Theresa, West Bend and Kewaskum. At least 15 charges have been referred to the Fond du Lac and Washington County District Attorneys Offices and Fond du Lac County Juvenile Intake against three 16 year old boys and a 36 year old woman from Campbellsport. Jessica Kroening made her initial Fond du Lac court appearance this week on multiple charges including illegal shining of a deer. She was released on a $5,000 signature bond. Waldschmidt says they would also intentionally strike deer in the road, in one instance striking and injuring a deer, and putting it in the back seat of the car. Waldschmidt says the actions of the suspects shocks the conscience of hunters and non-hunters alike. In addition to deer, invstigators believe the suspects also targeted and harrassed other wildlife including geese, raccoons, possums and turtles.
