Looking for a home

Nearly 200 dogs rescued from squalor need a place to grow strong again

Friday, December 19, 2003

story found here


By Rex Robinson
Staff writer


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The Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League is treating more than 180 dogs rescued from a trailer home in rural Lee County.
State investigators on Monday found more than 200 dogs living in horrid conditions after an anonymous tip led officials from the Illinois Department of Agriculture to the trailer home in Amboy, about 30 miles southeast of Dixon.

"In a word, the conditions were deplorable," said Jeff Squibb, an agriculture department spokesman.

There were 140 dogs living outside in pens, some in tiny pet carriers, with no food and inadequate shelter from the elements, he said. Most had no water, and those that did couldn't drink it because the dishes were frozen, Squibb said.

Another 60 dogs were found inside the trailer on Wednesday after investigators obtained a search warrant, he said. The conditions inside weren't much better.

"Our investigator reported having difficulty breathing because of the stench from animal waste," Squibb said.

Nine dogs were dead when investigators got to the trailer Monday and six more have died since the rescue effort began.

Some of the dead dogs were taken to the agriculture department's laboratory in Galesburg, where they were examined. Results showed the dogs died from starvation and were infested with parasites, Squibb said. Veterinarians found only sand and dirt in the dogs' stomachs.

"In the absence of food, they were doing what they could to try to survive, and that included eating dirt," Squibb said.

The woman who lives at the trailer home with her mother and brother could be charged with selling dogs without a license. Squibb said his department has had contact with the woman before.

Officials from the Lee County sheriff's department, animal control and the state's attorney's office refused to release the woman's name or make any comment.

Squibb said the agriculture department will turn over its reports and evidence to the Lee County state's attorney's office and it will be up to that agency to file any charges against the woman.

"Our primary concern is to make sure the animals are removed from danger, receive the proper veterinary care and are placed in a suitable home," Squibb said. "The welfare of the dogs is our immediate care.

The dogs — Great Danes, German shepherds, Belgian sheepdogs and Malinoises, and Japanese Chins — range in age from newborn to 6 years old.

The Chicago Ridge animal shelter has taken in 187 of the dogs. The shelter has five veterinarians on staff to treat the dogs for malnutrition and other problems associated with being underfed and dehydrated.

"There's just skin over bones. These dogs should be big, muscular, strong animals," said Linda Estrada, shelter president and director.

Squibb said this is one of the larger cases of maltreatment of animals he has seen.

"We find animals in these types of conditions on a regular basis, and that's sad," he said.

Estrada hopes people will adopt the dogs. She said while the dogs are emaciated, they are still loving animals. The shelter also is looking for donations to help with medical treatment for the dogs.

"We need people to help us help them," she said.

Anyone interested in adopting one of the dogs can call (708) 636-8586. Donations may be mailed to the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League, 10305 Southwest Highway, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415.

Rex Robinson may be reached at rrobinson@dailysouthtown.com or (708) 633-5964