K9 Care Payments Reimbursed

WAUTOMA, Wis (WAUH)- Waushara County Sheriff Wally Zuehlke Wednesday cleared the air about stipends he continued to receive for the care of K9 Argo for three months after the dog’s death.

The Badger Project has posted an article saying Argo, Zuehlke’s partner prior to his election as Sheriff in 2018, passed away in August of 2024. A monthly stipend of $415 the Sheriff received for Argo’s care continued to be paid last September, October, and November.

Sheriff Zuehlke says he notified County Administration of Argo’s passing right away and was unaware the stipends had continued. Tuesday Sheriff Zuehlke reimbursed the $1,245 in stipend money to the county.

According to the Badger Project Waushara County Administrator Megan Kapp confirmed the Sheriff had reimbursed the county. She said the post-death payments were an “administrative oversight.”

After he was elected Sheriff Zuehlke no longer was doing law enforcement training with Argo, but claimed the dog was transitioned to a public relations role with the Sheriff’s Office. The Badger Project estimates Zuehlke got more than $20,000 in K9 care payments after quitting the law enforcement trainings.