MERRILL – Matthew J. Krautkramer, age 34, of Merrill, made an initial appearance in Lincoln County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Jan. 8, where he was charged with 48 criminal counts related to the death and abandonment of 16 cats at his residence.
Krautkramer is charged with 16 counts of mistreatment of animals, Class I felonies, each carrying penalties of up to a $10,000.00 fine and/or up to three years and six months in prison; 16 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to confined animals, Class A misdemeanors; and 16 counts of intentionally abandoning animals, also Class A misdemeanors. Each misdemeanor count carries penalties of up to a $10,000.00 fine and/or up to nine months in prison.
The investigation
According to the criminal Complaint on file, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at approximately 9:04 a.m., an anonymous person called the Merrill Police Department and requested a welfare check on numerous cats living at 600 E. 9th St. in the City of Merrill.
The Complaint states officers went to the residence “and saw at least seven different cats lying dead inside of the house there.” Krautkramer was found to be the homeowner of the residence and the owner of 17 different cats.
According to the Complaint, during an interview with Krautkramer, “He told us he had been living at 600 E. 9th St. until June of 2025, at which time he moved in with his girlfriend.” Krautkramer told officers he had been going to the residence regularly to care for his cats until Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2025. “Krautkramer told us he broke his ankle on or just prior to Thanksgiving Day, and he had not gone back ... to care for his cats since then,” the Complaint said.
“Matthew admitted he left 17 of his cats at his house unattended,” it said. Krautkramer claimed he asked someone to feed and water his cats while he was living with his girlfriend but “admitted that he abandoned the cats and never returned to 600 E. 9th St. to take care of the cats. Krautkramer admitted he had been at the house once in that time period, but did not go inside.”
However, when law enforcement interviewed the witness Krautkramer claimed would be caring for his cats, she denied his account. According to the Complaint, when the witness was interviewed on Jan. 7, she said “that Krautkramer never asked her to feed and water his cats.” She did say she had gone to the residence on Jan. 6, 2025, [sic] with another party (Witness 2) who needed a ride there.
“Witness 1 told me when she and Witness 2 began to enter the house on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025 [sic], she smelled a horrible odor coming from inside of the residence at 600 E. 9th St. and she saw what she believed were at least two dead cats. Witness 1 told me she decided not to go into the house and stayed outside.”
After interviewing Krautkramer, officers asked for permission to enter his house to check on the cats’ welfare and Krautkramer granted permission. The Complaint describes what officers found: “I went there with Witness 2 and I located 16 dead cats inside of the residence. One of the cats was missing and one cat appeared to have been eaten down to fur and skeletal remains. Multiple kitty litter boxes were found in the home, fecal matter was heavily accumulated in both the boxes and on the floor. The cats had walked all over the home on counters, furniture, and had scratched the walls.”
“There was no water for the cats available to drink, nor any other liquid. Multiple water bowls were found dry and dirty with debris in some of the bowls. There was dry cat food found in a laundry basket as a food dish. Witness 2 told me she had only been there twice to feed the cats since Krautkramer had been there around Thanksgiving Day,” the Complaint said.
Court proceedings
Krautkramer appeared by video from the Lincoln County Jail at his initial appearance before Judge Galen Bayne-Allison on Thursday, Jan. 8. District Attorney Kristopher R. Ellis appeared for the State of Wisconsin, and an attorney made a special appearance for Krautkramer.
Judge Bayne-Allison set cash bond at $2,400.00, which was posted on Friday, Jan. 9. As a condition of his bond, Krautkramer is not allowed to possess, be caregiver for, or be the owner of any type of domestic animal.
The reading of the Complaint was waived, and Krautkramer waived time limits for the preliminary hearing.
An adjourned initial appearance was held on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in Lincoln County court.
Krautkramer is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Friday, Feb. 13.
Krautkramer does not qualify for a public defender.
Presumption of innocence
This case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, Krautkramer is presumed innocent of all charges.
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