ILLINOIS -- Police found more than a half dozen emaciated canines in an abandoned Abingdon home last week after neighbors reported dogs walking on the roof of the building’s porch.
Abingdon Police Chief Kenneth Jones said officers were dispatched around 3 p.m. last Tuesday to 203 N. Swarts St. to investigate an animal complaint.
Abingdon resident Nikki Hoyt said she was picking up her son from Abingdon Grade School about a block and a half north of the building when she saw three pit bulls wandering the roof. The dogs appeared extremely thin and malnourished.
“My husband and I own pit bulls and figured I could maybe help out,” Hoyt said, “so we walked down there and I just figured if I could find a door unlocked to the house, I was going inside.”
Joined by her husband and neighbors, she gained entry into the building carrying water for the dogs.
Jones, Hoyt and another Abingdon resident, Maria Sandoval Marlow, said the abandoned house was a mess of feces and urine with no food or water in sight.
Hoyt made her way to the building’s upstairs and found a room with a broken window leading to the roof. At the sound of her entry, the three dogs, along with a German shepherd, ran to her.
“They were more interested in the water at first,” Hoyt said. “Once we got them all out of the room, they followed us downstairs and were very playful. They were jumping on us, licking our faces. Like they were grateful.”
Marlow said the condition of the house was abhorrent.
“Feces all over the house, urine, no food, no water. It was hideous. It was just disgusting,” Marlow said. “No animal should have to live in anything like that. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t understand how anybody could leave these dogs like that.”
Three more pit bulls were found in the basement, bringing the total to seven. Jones said there was no clear indication how long they had been locked in the house.
“The dogs were all emaciated, but all in good spirits and as loving as could be. That’s what amazed me by the whole situation.” Jones said. “I wouldn’t advise folks to come into the house and feeding them, but I credit them doing it. That probably helped us not get hurt.”
The animals were transported from the house by Knox County Animal Control and evaluated. Two dogs were put down due to organ failure and one died overnight from malnourishment.
The three surviving pit bulls and the German shepherd are up for adoption at the Knox County Humane Society, animal shelter director Erin Buckmaster said.
Speaking about the shepherd, named Soldier by the shelter, Buckmaster said several people have already applied to adopt the rescue.
“None of them have been adopted yet,” she said. “We had to wait until they were well enough to have their shots Tuesday. Now, they’ve all had their rabies shots and they’re all really friendly.”
Police are investigating the case and are pursuing charges of neglect and animal cruelty.
“We’re doing everything we possibly can and we’re doing it as quickly as we can,” Jones said. “If there is any information from the public as to who owned the animals or who left them there, they should feel free to contact us.”
Information can be shared with Abingdon Animal Control at 462-2091 or the Galesburg Public Safety Building at 343-9151.
(The Register-Mail - April 22, 2015)
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