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• Date: Citation No. Reference No. Reporting Deputy Case No. 8-11-96 NORM WILLS 96014271 INTERVIEW WITH CONNIE MILLER: Upon my arrival down into the Prairie Pet Center, I proceeded behind the house down to the kennel area and around the kennel area into a large parking area and apparent Shutzin(ph)staging area. It is Miller who is a member of the Hauptstadt Shutzin Training Standards of America. I observed several vehicles in this area, however, all the people I observed were sitting at the picnic tables, apparently having a lunch and conversation. There were no active workings of the dogs in the area and again it should be noted that I did not discern anything that even sounded like a shot throughout the course of this investigation. After making contact with Connie Miller, I advised her of my purpose for being there and asked if I could speak to Steve Miller, her husband. She indicated Steve was out of the state at this time on business and that she would try to help me any way she could. . Connie A. Miller 4255 CTH TT, Sun Prairie,WI 837-8020 DOB 6-15-50 When I questioned Connie as to what was taking place, she indicated that this was the Shutzin Club for the Madison area and was a chartered non-profit club for the pleasure and skill of training dogs to the Shutzin standards. She further indicated that they do in fact use a blank starting pistol in order to train the dogs not to run at the sound of a large noise. I specifically questioned Connie as to whether or not they had received correspondence from the Dane CO Zoning, specifically Mr Russell Bartlett, that they were not zoned for training and consequently should in fact cease and desist this and indicated to my knowledge this was dated 7-19-96. Connie indicated that if they were training in a for profit situation, it would be most appropriate, but since this was not a non-profit social club and no monies were being exchanged, that they did not in fact feel they were violating any of the zoning regulations. She further indicated that they had in fact conveyed this to Bartlett and apparently he had felt in fact his position was appropriate. It should be noted that Connie Miller went onto state that she was very concerned about the problems that had occurred between themselves and the Larson's and that she felt because Larson was either disabled or unable to work that because he sat around all day, that it probably did start to get on his nerves with fact there was kennel next to him. She additionally indicated if it would help, she would offer Larson employment where he could mow the lawns or do paperwork to receive incoming dogs to the kennel areas, anything that would not require any physical effort upon his part. It was quite obvious that Connie was concerned as to the relationship or the lack of relationship that was apparent between these two folks. I then inquired of Connie Miller as to what actions they had taken in regards to attempting to achieve a proper zoning level for the activities which they wished to pursue. Miller went onto indicate that they had hired attorneys in Sun Prairie who were negotiating with the Dane Co Zoning ref a re-zoning of the 34.5 acres they have there in an attempt to achieve the legal of training business which they would like to pursue. She further indicated that Steve had the particulars on that information and he was expected to return on Monday and felt he would be better equipped to answer my questions on that. She indicate that as part of this,they had contacted 17 out of 18 area neighbors who had indicated to them either in verbally or in writing that they had no problem with the zoning request, or in fact would not oppose it at the town board level. Connie went onto state additionally that they had not fired a live round on that property in the two years they had been there. She indicated that the only thing her husband did was practice with his bow and arrow. She did however indicate the property behind them in the marsh area whom she id'd as being owned by the Homberg's was frequently used for target shooting by friends of the Homberg's and/or the Homberg's themselves. She indicated that this might be a contributing factor which had upset Larson and wished I would let him know that it was not them, i.e. the Miller's, doing the shooting. After thanking Connie Miller for the information I advised her I would be attempting to contact Steve upon his return from his business and I would like to confirm the status of the zoning request changes. -3 -