We applaud the sentencing of Donald Klawes, who was charged with three felony counts of animal cruelty for torturing and killing three rescued rabbits he adopted in Portage, Wisconsin.

On November 21, 2024, Klawes pleaded no contest to one felony count of mistreatment of animals causing death. Two additional charges were dismissed as part of his plea deal. He was given 36 months probation, with six months behind bars with work privileges. Then he will either be handed additional sentencing or be freed. He also has to pay $518 in court costs/fines. 

In August 2023, the Portage Police Department was asked to do a welfare check on Klawes, who had adopted a number of rabbits from several rescues who were alleged to have been killed.

Officers found no living rabbits but did find shallow graves and decomposing bodies recovered from the backyard. Further investigation found the rabbits had been brutally killed.

“It’s heartbreaking these defenseless rabbits were rescued from mistreatment only to be sadistically killed by someone posing as an adopter. Those who torture animals like this must be held accountable and kept away from vulnerable members of society.” 

- Doll Stanley, Senior Campaigner, In Defense of Animals

Klawes was initially charged with three felonies, 951.02 Mistreatment of Animals/Cause Death Felony, punishable by up to 3½ years in state prison, fines up to $10,000, or both.

Our online petition garnered 16,064 signatures before we delivered its letter to District Attorney Brenda L. Yascal supporting Klawes’ vigorous prosecution, asking for no plea deals, a mental health evaluation and subsequent treatment, and a lifetime ban on contact with animals. 

While, of course, we wish that no plea deal had been given and that Klawes was forced to go to trial and found guilty resulting in years of imprisonment, we know that decent jail sentences for animal abusers are rarely mandated, so we acknowledge that six months jail is reasonable in this case. We will look into the outcome of Klawes’ probation over concerns that nothing in the sentencing included restrictions on engaging with animals.   

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