WAUKESHA, WI (WTAQ) - An 18-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to stealing a popular owl from a wildlife rehab center in Oconomowoc last month.
Dilan White of Dousman entered his pleas in Waukesha County Thursday to charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal damage.
White and 18-year-old Matthew Kuhlemeyer of Dousman allegedly broke into a cage at the Wildlife in Need Center on November 12th and took Dakota, a grey-horned owl.
Officials said Dakota flew away from the teens, and lost 30 percent of his body weight while he was missing for almost a month.
Kuhlemeyer asked that his case be dropped. Attorney Dan Fay said a cage does not fit the legal definition of burglary, because it's not a building or dwelling as the law describes.
But the state argues that a cage is indeed a structure.
A hearing on the issue was set for Thursday. But it's been delayed until January 13th so the defense can review the state's response.
White's attorney says his client will not ask that his charges be dropped because of that issue. White is due back in court February 13th.
