Assault charges pending against Winona man
Charges are being referred for Winona man who police say ordered his dogs to attack another man. Winona Police Deputy Chief Tom Williams said Brenden Lee Thatcher is in custody in the Winona County Jail. He has been referred to the county attorney's office on charges of Second Degree Assault and Gross Misdemeanor Domestic Assault. According to Williams, police were called to Thatcher's home on North Baker Street Monday. An officer arrived as Thatcher was letting a dog out into the fenced backyard. After ordering Thatcher to come out, he went back in the home. Knowing there were several dogs in the home, the officer met Thatcher at the front door with his gun drawn. The officer reported that Thatcher had blood on his arms and shorts which Thatcher said was from the dogs. Thatcher was arrested without incident. Reports show the trouble started when Thatcher accused a male friend of wanting to sleep with his girlfriend. The male victim said as he was preparing to leave the home, Thatcher came into the kitchen with a machete and shortly afterward, ordered his three dogs to "sic 'em." The victim told officers he thought the dogs would have eaten him alive. Williams said the two men and a woman had been drinking before the incident.
