Staff Report

Sherry Lynn Koser

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman who complained about the county’s former animal control officer for shooting and killing her dog has entered into a pre-trial diversion agreement for an animal cruelty misdemeanor charge.

In June 2019, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a landlord in Etna Green about a dying dog at a residence where Sherry L. Koser, 46, resided. The landlord told officers that Koser’s dog had a bleeding tumor and had also tried biting people. Two of Koser’s neighbors also made complaints about the dog, a 14-year-old boxer named Daisy. The neighbors told officers that Daisy was aggressive and very sickly.

According to court documents, KCSO Animal Control Officer Jerry Clase investigated the report and determined Daisy’s condition was bad enough that the dog needed to be euthanized.

Clase took Daisy from the residence, shot her and disposed of the body without alerting Koser of his actions.

Koser’s initial complaints led to an investigation by the county into Clase’s handling of the situation and sparked protests, calling for Clase to be removed from his role as an animal control officer.

Following the investigation, Clase was suspended by county commissioners for five days without pay in July 2019. He later retired in October 2019 from the position.

Koser was later charged with the animal cruelty misdemeanor in September 2019 for not taking the dog to a veterinarian to receive medical care.

Koser originally intended to take her case to a bench trial through Kosciusko County Superior Court 2, but entered into a pre-trial diversion agreement in October. The county’s pre-trial diversion program is offered to defendants without significant prior criminal records who have been charged with certain offenses. Upon completing a certain set of requirements, the defendant’s charge or charges will be dismissed.

According to court documents filed Oct. 5, Koser’s agreement will remain in effect for six months. With the pre-trial diversion agreement, Koser must pay monthly court costs, pay for the cost of court-appointed counsel and perform 40 hours of community service. The agreement also states that Koser does not acknowledge or admit that she committed the offense she is charged with.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeff Clark is the county’s new animal control officer. Clark can respond to both standard police calls as well as animal-related calls.