Cruelty charges after raid finds 67 puppies
Cruelty charges after raid finds 67 puppies - Chicago Breaking News
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March 24, 2009 5:42 PM | 85 Comments | UPDATED STORY
Some 70 puppies were found today living in filthy, stacked bird cages in the West Englewood neighborhood, officials said.
"There are dogs running all over the place," said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, who held an afternoon news conference outside the small home while holding a pair of shivering Chihuahua puppies in his hands. "I couldn't believe it: the chaos, the noise, the smell."
Dart, who took part in the morning raid, got national attention this fall after he briefly suspended evictions for mortgage foreclosures in the county. Earlier this month, the sheriff filed a federal lawsuit against Craigslist.com in an effort to force the Web site to take down its "erotic services" section because, he said, it facilitates prostitution.
On Tuesday, Dart and a handful of other officials held a press conference outside the residence in the 6400 block of South Bell Avenue, carrying the tiny dogs out in cages for cameramen and photographers to shoot. A mother Chihuahua and her six suckling puppies were hauled out in a laundry basket.
The dogs - mainly Chihuahuas, but also a
Yorkshire Terrier, several Pomeranians and a pregnant Pug mix - yelped during the procession but did not seem underfed or ill. Dart said the 67 dogs found would be checked out by a veterinarian at Chicago Animal Care and Control and would likely be available for adoption in coming days. [For information on adoption, call ACC 312-747-1406.]
Following Tuesday's raid, Demetria Newell, 38, of the Bell Avenue address, was charged with 67 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Another resident, David Hayes, 37, was charged with felony possession of marijuana after a Ziploc bag full was found during the search, authorities said. Dart said a 9mm semi-automatic weapon was also recovered inside the home.
Officials said they were acting on a tip that the bodies of deceased dogs were discarded in a city garbage container, but they found no evidence of that.
Several neighbors Tuesday expressed outrage after hearing about the dogs' living conditions. Vicky Green said she thought the owners were running a legitimate animal grooming and boarding business.
Dart said the puppies were being sold for $475 apiece.
On the window outside the home was a neon dog sign with the word "open" spelled out. Underneath the sign was a placard that read: "Warning: This is a 15th Ward Block Club Watch Area and we know our police."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Chicago Police Department also took part in the raid.
--Sara Olkon