More than 50 dogs being sold online despite a myriad of health problems were rescued today by authorities during a week-long undercover investigation in Kankakee County.
The dogs--ranging in age from 7 weeks to 10 years--were being sold online and in newspapers for $300 to $600, depending on their age and condition, authorities said today.
The breeds included maltipoos, Yorkshire terriers, pugs and others.
A search warrant was executed this morning at a puppy mill in rural Kankakee County by investigators with the Cook County Sheriff's Department's animal crimes unit and the Illinois state police, authorities said.
They said the law enforcement agencies learned about the puppy mill from employees with the South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights.
"Sheriff's investigators were able to secure the out-of-county warrant because the Cook County state's attorney's office recognized the emergency situation and the need to quickly get the animals out of their environment," Sheriff Tom Dart said today in a news release.
Authorities were looking for a 59-year-old Joliet woman in connection with the puppy mill. Although she wasn't there today, authorities said felony cruelty charges could be lodged against her early next week in Kankakee County because of prior misdemeanor arrests for similar crimes.
Investigators arrived at the trailer park in the 5500 block of Illinois Highway 1 near St. Anne, and upon their arrival they could immediately hear the puppies barking from a shed. There investigators found 30 puppies that authorities said were designer lap dogs, confined to the shed, which was below freezing inside.
"Puppies had broken bones, internal organ problems and were infected with fleas and mites. One dog has injuries that will likely require amputation of a limb," according to the news release.
The property there, the release stated, "is rented by the target of the investigation [the Joliet woman], they [the investigators] learned, specifically for the purpose of housing the puppies."
As they investigated that scene, they heard barking coming from a nearby shed. Authorities said an additional 23 designer lap dogs were found confined there in similar conditions as the other shed.
The woman renting the home on that property, 57-year-old Karen Brownfield, is related to the Joliet woman investigators were zeroing in on. Brownfield was charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals. She is due to appear in Kankakee County Court next week.
All 53 dogs were taken to the South Suburban Humane Society, where they were receiving medical attention.
--Staff report
50 dogs rescued from puppy mill, sheriff says - Chicago Breaking News