Man who reported Eilene Ribbens suspended from Humane Society

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY (WITI) -- Eilene Ribbens, the executive director of the Shebogyan County Humane Society, is facing charges for illegally buying drugs. But, she's still getting a paycheck -- unlike the man who turned her in.

Dr. Rick Lord of the Sheboygan County Humane Society says he knew being a whistle-blower  would come with consequences.

Dr. Lord has been the Humane Society’s veterinarian for the last decade. He says Ribbens used his information to order the drugs, and when he found out, he had no choice but to report Ribbens to police.

"I knew when that happened that my time here was going to be terminated in some manner,"Dr. Lord said.

Prosecutors say Ribbens illegally ordered 1,000 pills of tramadol hydrochloride — a powerful pain medication. She allegedly used the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project’s credit card to pay the bill and lied to co-workers, saying she was ordering the pills for a dog who couldn’t afford the meds, out of the “kindness of her heart.” However, Ribbens later admitted to police she actually sent the medication via Fed-Ex to her sister and niece.

A week-and-a-half ago Dr. Lord was suspended without pay. An employee at the Sheboygan County Humane Society says Ribbens is punishing Lord after he failed to separate two fighting dogs.

Meanwhile, the Humane Society’s Board is still sticking by its director.

Eilene Ribbens is currently banned from being near the shelter.

Sheboygan County prosecutors say the charges against Ribbens could result in the shelter losing its license to operate. Leaders at the Humane Society say Ribbens was just following her passion and was trying to help animals.

Dr. Lord's suspension appears indefinite. Dr. Lord believes the Humane Society is trying to make it permanent.