Diane Eldrup, 48, is charged with multiple counts of animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals based on her operation of the Muddy Paws Dog Rescue on the 2000 block of Rand Road.
She was arrested Dec. 17 after police found the corpses of 20 dogs, three birds and an opossum that had apparently starved to death.
She was indicted on the new charges earlier this month after her estranged husband, Kurt Eldridge, found the corpses of two other dogs when he was on the property collecting some of his belongings.
Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Suzanne Willett said a veterinarian chip implanted in one of the dogs identified it as Lucha, Diane Eldrup's personal pet.
Police said the animals were living among tons of animal waste that made the kennel and the house attached to it uninhabitable.
Eldrup entered her pleas to the new charges during a hearing before Circuit Judge James Booras.
Animal torture carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, and aggravated cruelty to animals is punishable by up to three years.
Sentences of local jail time and probation can be imposed for convictions for either crime.
Eldrup was released from custody following her arrest when she posted $25,000 for bond and is scheduled to appear in court April 11.
(Daily Herald - March 29, 2011)
Earlier:
- Illinois: 18 dead dogs found at Deer Park rescue called Muddy Paws; owner Diane Eldrup arrested
- Illinois: Most of the 17 dead dogs found at Muddy Paws Dog Rescue were found inside living area of house, says attorney
- Illinois: Diane Eldrup, owner of Muddy Paws Dog Rescue, faces 32 counts of animal cruelty
- Illinois: Investigators searching for more dead animals at Diane Eldrup's Muddy Paws Dog Rescue facility
- Illinois: What Diane Eldrup's husband Kurt Eldrup saw inside Muddy Paws Dog Rescue concentration camp
- Illinois: Editorial "Many failures led to animals being abused and killed at Diane Eldrup's Muddy Paws Dog Rescue"
- Illinois: Diane Eldrup and Muddy Paws Dog Rescue mess dates back to 2009
