Animal carcass dispute in Shawano

SHAWANO - A dispute over animal carcasses dumped behind a Shawano meat market is causing concern for neighbors and business owners alike.

It's a conflict between neighbors that started with a smelly situation.

Now, after police reports and visits from the health department, the situation may be resolved.

Catherine Dove lives behind Pingel's Old Time Sausage Shop in Shawano. Dove sent FOX 11 photos she says she took Sunday night. The pictures appear to show heads of deer, cattle and even a longhorn steer, laying behind a garage on the Pingel property.

"There was still meat and fur on them. They were decomposing and the smell and the flies, it was horrible," said Dove.

Dove called police. Shawano police didn't want to go on camera. Officials say legally the situation is little more than a nuisance. Police told the owner to clean up the area.

Officers were seen patrolling the area Thursday.

"I think they're following up," said Dove.

We talked to the co-owner of Pingel meats. He says the animal heads were stored behind the building, but he says it was all part of the process.

"If a customer says will you process this longhorn for me, we'll say you bet we'll process it. Then they may come back and say can you keep the head? We'll be back to pick it up because horns are worth 'x' dollars," said Pete Krolow, co-owner of Pingel's Old Time Sausage Shop.

Store owners say the heads were also used for taxidermy.

By Thursday morning, the heads and horns are gone. The Shawano County Health Department paid a visit.

"Why did you want to come out here today?" we asked.

"I just wanted to check because you called. I wanted to check and see what was going on," said Rebecca Hovarter, Shawano County health director.

"Are you satisfied?" we asked.

"Yeah, I am," said Hovarter.

Pete Krolow says he may pursue legal action against Dove for trespassing and more.

"If this woman continues to try to slander and libel, we'll probably have to take action against her, because it's all frivolous," said Krolow.

Catherine Dove says she just wants the carcasses gone.

"All I had to say was clean it up that's it. As long as it's cleaned up, I'm good," said Dove.

Police say they will continue to monitor the situation. Officers say as long as the property stays carcass-free, the case is closed.