In Boone County, Illinois, a man and woman from Huntley, face charges for animal cruelty, after an investigation into the abandonment of 54 dogs at a Belvidere dog park. On September 6, Concepcion Rodriquez, 61, and Bruce Walla, 54, were charged with 19 counts of animal cruelty, and 19 counts of Violation of Owners Duties.
Rodriquez has also been charged with 54 counts of animal cruelty.
According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, it had been on the morning of July 15, 2024, after a weekend of heavy rain and thunderstorms, that 54 Maltese mixed breed dogs were spotted alone at the Hammertime Unleashed Dog Park. The dogs had been abandoned.
The McHenry County Animal Control and other investigative agencies worked together, and a search warrant for the couple’s home was executed on July 25. More animals were found at the home and turned over to animal rescue organizations for care. The house was condemned.
The dogs were captured and transferred to nearby rescue organizations.
Anyone having additional information on this case is encouraged to contact the Boone County Sheriff’s Office at (815) 544-2144 or the Huntley Police Department at (847) 515-5311.
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