Manawa Man Pleads Not Guilty To Felony Animal Mistreatment

A Manawa man accused of shooting a neighbor’s dog has entered a not guilty plea to a felony charge of mistreatment of an animal.  Dog owner Justin Beese told the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office he started following a blood trail when his great Dane, Gypsy, didn’t return home.  The suspect originally told deputies he shot a coyote, but Jeffrey Buttles later admitted he shot the dog.  Buttles claimed Gypsy was barking and growling at him.  After shooting the dog to death, he loaded it into his truck and dumped the body in the Little Wolf River.