This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

A Wisconsin woman has been arrested and charged with felony cruelty to animals after stabbing and suffocating a family's beloved dog to death while she was babysitting their 4-year-old child. Urge maximum penalties in this case!

The family hired Kielee Sonnemann to babysit their young child on January 25, but when the mother returned home their 8-year-old Chihuahua Batman was missing. Sonnemann pretended to help search for him that night, and the next day the family continued the search, enlisting the help of people on social media.

Tragically, that day the family's 11-year-old child came home from visiting her grandmother and it was then that the family found Batman's lifeless body in her room. According to the complaint, Batman had been buried under blankets, stuffed animals, and pillows, but there was a plastic bag over his head and an apparent stab wound in his chest. Some fur had also been pulled from his body. The crime was then reported to police, who went to Sonnemann's home. A pair of bloody scissors was also found hidden in a dresser drawer.

Sonnemann reportedly told police that when she gets angry she lashes out, but that she had no memory of killing Batman. She also claimed Batman had been biting her, but video footage from the home doesn't support her account. She also was not able to deny that she attacked the dog in front of the child she was babysitting.

She has been arrested and charged with animal mistreatment with the use of a dangerous weapon. On February 9, her bond was unfortunately reduced from $15,000 to $2,000. This was on the condition Wisconsin Community Services provides GPS monitoring, in addition to other stipulations, including that she stay away from the victims, not have any unsupervised contact with animals, participate in childcare duties, or be around children under the age of 18.

She is due back in court on February 28, while more charges are still being considered.

The family, meanwhile, is mourning the loss, writing on a fundraiser to cover his cremation and fees for an attorney, “We will always miss the pitter patter of your little feet on the floor, you snuggling into your little chair and curling up in the sun to stay warm. Your grey face, your kind eyes, and everything about you will be missed greatly. We will fight for you every day!”

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Sitter Who Brutally Stabbed & Smothered Family Dog Must Receive Maximum Sentencing

I am writing to you in support of the prosecution of Kielee Michelle Sonnemann for the brutal killing of a family's dog while she was babysitting their 4-year-old child.

It is unimaginable that while Sonnemann was left to care for a minor, she stabbed and suffocated the family’s little Chihuahua, Batman, possibly right in front of the 4-year-old child. Now, the memories and the safety of the family’s child are marred.

The conviction of Sonnemann and maximum sentencing may give this family finality in this nightmare and spare her potential future victims. Please do not give her any plea deals and please pursue the longest jail term the courts will allow.

After a lengthy prison sentence, Sonnemann must also be ordered to submit to a mental health evaluation and treatment with the hope that she may gain control over her explosive rage.

I will be following this case to fruition, with high hopes for a just sentence. Thank you for your work on this.

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.