Fort dog trainer to face court-ordered competency hearing

By Kim McDarison

Tammy Flemming, a Fort Atkinson dog trainer accused of allegedly killing a client’s dog, was back in court Wednesday, Aug. 11. 

Flemming is charged with mistreatment of animals/cause death, a level-I felony.

If convicted, she could face fines up to $10,000, up to three years imprisonment, or both. 

Flemming appeared Wednesday by video conference from the Jefferson County Jail. During the hearing, Flemming told the court she did not wish to be represented by an attorney. A public defender, who was initially present during the proceedings, was dismissed following Flemming’s request. 

The court set a cash bail bond for Flemming of $10,000. As of Thursday, Aug. 12, according to a spokesperson in the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Flemming remains in custody. 

On Wednesday, the court — noting it had “reason to doubt Ms. Flemming’s competency,” according to records released on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website — ordered a competency examination to be conducted by the Department of Health Services. The health department was instructed to determine where the examination will be conducted, according to the WCCA filing. 

Based on its doubt about Flemming’s competency, the court stated that it “finds it necessary to appoint advocacy counsel for Ms. Flemming,” the WCCA filing states. 

A hearing has been set for Sept. 16, at which time the court will make determinations as to the advocacy role and whether there should be continuation of the appointment of advocacy council, the filing continued. 

A competency hearing also has been set by the court for Sept. 16.

Flemming was arrested in Illinois earlier this month after a warrant was issued for her arrest in June by a Jefferson County Circuit Court judge. The warrant came after Flemming failed to appear at an arraignment hearing scheduled June 14. Flemming also failed to appear at a bail/bond forfeiture hearing held in July. 

Initially released on a $1,000 signature bond, the court issued a judgement against Flemming after she failed to appear at her arraignment hearing.

An earlier story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-dog-trainer-with-warrant-apprehended-in-illinois/

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