Man Rammed Greenfield Bartender After Dog Couldn't Go In: Police

GREENFIELD, WI — A Milwaukee man convicted of ramming a Greenfield bartender with his car after he couldn't bring his dog into the bar has to spend two weeks in jail and serve two years probation after a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge stayed a longer jail sentence.

According to the criminal complaint, a man was working as a bartender at the at Fin and Feather, 4060 W. Loomis Road, in March 2019 when Kenneth D. Keaton, 51, entered the bar. Authorities said Keaton tried bringing his dog into the bar, but the bartender told him the dog could not be inside, and must wait in his vehicle.

Keaton went outside with the dog, however the bartender suspected Keaton may have tried causing damage to his vehicle out in the parking lot following the confrontation in the bar, investigators said.

According to the criminal complaint, the bartender walked outside, stopped about five feet in front of Keaton's vehicle, only to see Keaton in the driver's seat. Investigators say Keaton "gunned" the accelerator, hitting the bartender, causing him to fly up onto the hood.

Authorities said Keaton sped away, never stopping to check to see if the bartender was alright. According to the criminal complaint, the bartender had a number of cuts and apparent injuries to an elbow and knee.

Witnesses provided police with Keaton's license plate number, and later tracked him down to make the arrest, the criminal complaint stated.

According to court records, Keaton pleaded guilty to hit-and-run causing injury. Judge David Borowski sentenced Keaton to nine months behind bars, but stayed the sentence in favor of two weeks in jail along with two years of probation.