Posted: June 25, 2026
Present: Langreck, Lienau, McNeil. Absent: Becker, Holthaus
City employees present: Ashley Goltz, Kyle Tieskoetter, Calmar Police Chief Joe Ward,
Also present: Karla, Brian and Jordan Baumler, Rebecca Wangsness, Shana Schweinefus, Sheryl Holien, Kristin Torresdale, Jim Mathis, Erin Tieskoetter, Don Witt, Chris Reilly, Tom Bushman, LeAnn Uhlenhake, Macaully and Sara Hageman
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Kriener called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Roll call was taken with Langreck, Lienau and McNeil present. Absent is Becker and Holthaus.
Mayor Kriener stated the reason for the meeting which is to determine if a dog housed at 112 Fisher Ave is viscious. Mayor Kriener also discussed time limitations for each side of 20 minutes and appointed City Attorney Trevor Schweinefus as a city designee.
Schweinefus reviewed the reason for the meeting and read the definition of “vicious dog” per Chapter 55.09 of the City of Ossian Code of Ordinance. Schweinefus also reviewed the grounds for destruction if determined vicious.
Kristin Torresdale of 200 S. Ogden Street read a statement regarding an incident that occurred while she was on a walk with her dog during the month of April with the dog in question. This incident was not reported to law enforcement.
Kristin Torresdale read a second statement written by Jenna Sadler regarding an attack that occurred with Sadler and her dog Winston on May 28, 2026, where she had to pull both dogs to Casey’s for help to get the dog in question off her dog Winston. This incident was reported to the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and Sadler was able to take care of Winston’s wounds.
Sheryl Holien provided an incident she had on May 25, 2026, where the dog charged her and she fell the ground. This incident was not reported to law enforcement.
Karla and Brian Baumler provided a statement regarding the incident on June 5, 2026, where their dog Charlie was attacked by the dog in question and was later put down due to injuries sustained from the attack. They reported that it took two grown men to release the dog from Charlie.
Baumler had some questions as to why nothing was done after the Sadler incident. City Clerk Ashley Goltz reported that she did not know of the incident until June 5, 2026, when Calmar Police Chief Joe Ward called her to let her know the Baumler’s reported a dog attack. Chief Ward noted that he also did not know of the attack on Sadler’s dog until the morning of June 5, 2026.
Tom Bushman representing the Ossian Care Center and read a statement expressing concern for care of their residents at the facility.
Jim Mathis read a statement regarding violation of several sections of Chapter 55.
Rebecca Wangsness apologized to those present regarding the death of Charlie. Wangsness reported that she was approached by a Winneshiek County Deputy after Sadler’s incident and was not told that her dog needed to be quarantined at that time and that the other dog appears to be okay. Wangsness explained that her dog, Lily, was on a leash but had been scratching at her ear and got off the leash. Wangsness reported that she feels protected with Lily as she has been assaulted before and does not feel safe without Lily. She does not talk to Lily in English but speaks a different language to her dog. Wangsness states that Lily is three years old and was told when she got her on November 2, 2025, that the dog was up to date on her vaccinations. She did not receive proof of vaccinations and reached out to a vet clinic in Waterloo for proof but has not received that as of the time of hearing. Wangsness stated that she has a family outside of Ossian that would take Lily and get all her vaccinations up to date if they are not. Wangsness reports that Lily was raised around other dogs and children and has never been vicious towards them or her. Wangsness stated that she had recently taken Lily to her parent’s house and was attacked by dogs that live there. Lily has not been outside since the incident except to go outside to go to the bathroom. Wangsness reported having a person come stand at her door and yell at her about being bitten.
Attorney Schweinefus explained that the Ossian City Council’s first objective is to determine if the dog is vicious. If they determine the dog is vicious, then they would need to determine the disposition of the dog.
Closing statements: Please be conscientious of the lack of rabies vaccine
Closing statement by Wangsness: Please give Lily a chance for a life on a farm
Deliberations were had by the City Council and a reminder was made of the state code to have visibility of a rabies tag on the dog’s collar.
Langreck made a motion to deem the dog in question a vicious animal per city code 55.09; second by Lienau. Motion carried with Becker and Holthaus absent.
McNeil made a motion that the owner has failed to restrain the animal; second by Lienau. Motion carried with Becker and Holthaus absent.
Lienau made a motion that it is in the public’s best interest to euthanize said vicious dog, second by Lienau. Motion carried with Becker and Holthaus absent.
Wangsness, owner of said vicious dog, has acknowledged that she has five days to appeal the city council’s decision to have the dog euthanized. Wangsness is waiving her right to appeal.
Communication between the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Department and Calmar Police Department will be discussed at the next regular council meeting which is July 6, 2026.
Lienau made a motion to adjourn, seconded by McNeil; carried. Meeting adjourned at 2:05pm.