Accused of stealing, then burning Beatrice the dog, Christopher Hanson reaches a plea deal

MILWAUKEE COUNTY (WITI) -- 22-year-old Christopher Hanson, charged in connection with the burning of Beatrice the dog has reached a plea deal in the case against him.

Hanson on Monday, May 11th pleaded guilty to a felony charge of mistreatment of animals.

A felony charge of theft of movable property was dismissed as a result of the plea deal.

Hanson is accused of stealing a five-year-old mixed-breed dog named Beatrice from her yard on W. Wells Street in Milwaukee on March 13th, 2014 and then burning her.

Beatrice



Beatrice was found 11 days after she was stolen near Potawatomi Hotel & Casino -- with most of her body badly burned.

Beatrice’s owner spoke before the court during Hanson's plea hearing, and said that the dog was burned over 90% of her body,  and these burns were mainly second-degree burns.

The owner also said the dog’s treatments have totaled $9,000 in veterinary bills.

Dr. Marla Lichtenberger, a veterinarian with the Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals gained world-wide attention when she, along with Dr. John Weigelt with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin performed groundbreaking surgery on Beatrice. Heterograft (pigskin) was applied to Beatrice's burns, which helped her to heal.

The state is recommending Hanson serve 18 months in prison and 24 months of extended supervision in this case. He will be sentenced on June 3rd.