For the Hub City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A final pre-trial conference has been scheduled for a Marshfield man accused of throwing a litter of newborn puppies into a garbage can.

In Wood County Circuit Court June 21, a judge set a final pre-trial conference for Sept. 6 for Robert Wild. As part of Friday’s proceedings representatives for the state argued to modify the condition of Wild’s bond which allows him to keep possession of his own animals. That motion was denied by a judge.

The bond currently stipulates that Wild have no abusive contact with his dogs. Attorneys for the state argued the animals should be placed in foster care until the case is settled. Wild’s attorney says there’s no indication that the animals have been abused.

Formal charges against Wild include one count each of intentionally abandoning and mistreating animals. A trial date has not yet been set.

The puppies were discovered by a door-to-door salesman, and eventually rescued by Marshfield police. The Marshfield Area Pet Shelter completed adoption proceedings for all nine pups last month.