Those were among the details Stephenson County Sheriff's
Lt. Richard Roodhouse recited at a court hearing today for
McKinnon, 45, who faces two felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, two
misdemeanor charges of cruel treatment to animals and a misdemeanor charge of
neglecting owner's duties. Judge Michael Bald found probable cause for the case
to continue, setting a jury trial for Aug. 20.
Authorities said they found 85 live dogs and at least 29
dead cats and 36 dead dogs March 16 at a rental home at 1358 N. Heitter Road
owned by Cole Eshleman.
In addition to the dead animals counted, authorities also
found dead animals in a shed on the property but were not able to count
them because of the smell, said Roodhouse. The dead animals in the freezer were
also not part of the count.
Authorities arrested McKinnon a few days later in Linn,
Wisconsin, and she met with Stephenson County Deputy Investigator Jim Norton at
the Stephenson County Jail on March 20.
Roodhouse testified that McKinnon told Norton she
disagreed with the wording of the charges against her. She told authorities
she "was not cruel to the animals, was not starving them and hadn't abused or
abandoned the animals."
McKinnon told authorities she had been living in Tyler,
Texas, had acquired "a number of dogs" from a humane society in Springfield,
Missouri, and transported the dogs to Stephenson County in a rented Penske
truck, with the dogs in kennels.
Roodhouse said a search of the rental home revealed two
freezers full of dead animals, which McKinnon told authorities she brought from
Texas hoping to bury the bodies once she settled into her new home.
McKinnon told authorities she had been leaving a 55-pound
bag of dog food out for the dogs every day and "large bowls of water," but she
acknowledged that the dogs in kennels couldn't access the food and water,
Roodhouse said.
McKinnon did find another home for some animals before
authorities rescued the dogs March 16, Roodhouse said. A Forreston woman found
McKinnon via Craigslist in February and took four puppies that McKinnon said had
a pack mentality.
The two women met a second time, and McKinnon gave the
woman a female German shepherd with three puppies, all of which required
multiple treatments for worms, Roodhouse said.
McKinnon underwent a psychiatric evaluation in April at
Stephenson County Public Defender Byron Sloan's request, and
she was found fit to stand trial on May 6. On
April 15, McKinnon legally surrendered the rescued dogs and puppies to Stephenson
County Animal Warden Kristin Laue. The case is next due
in court at 1:30 p.m. July 16.
If convicted of a felony charge, McKinnon could face
probation or up to three years in prison.
Stephenson County Board Chairman Bill Hadley said he will
recognize Laue during a County Board meeting tonight
for her efforts to rescue and treat the dogs. He said the idea
to honor Laue was a joint effort by him and County Engineer Chris Isbell.
"She's gone well above her duties, and done most of the
extra work without charging it back to the county," Hadley said. "I consider
that to be an outstanding employee."
Laue said about 31 dogs have been adopted to families in
Winnebago and Stephenson counties, and she is still reviewing additional
adoption applications.
(Journal Standard - May 14, 2015)
Earlier:
"I know these dogs pretty much better than anyone, so I
really need to be the one to review things," Laue said. "I just keep telling
people to be patient. I'll get through all their applications."
(Journal Standard - May 14, 2015)
Earlier:
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