Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Illinois: Juan Zamora charged with dog fighting after police find 10 pit bulls in his home

ILLINOIS -- A southeast side man was arrested on animal cruelty and dog fighting charges after police said they found 10 pit bull dogs in "deplorable conditions" at his home.

Police served a dog fighting-related warrant at the home of Juan Zamora, 49, in the 9700-block of S. Avenue L on June 4. Police say they found the dogs in the home and turned them over to Animal Care and Control for treatment.


Each of the dogs was underweight, Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti said. The pit bulls in the basement were chained to the ground and separated by wooden cages, which were lined with hay, feces and urine. One of the cages contained three puppies, who couldn't move easily due to an elevated cage bottom, Antonietti said.

Police uncovered two treadmills, one of which was smeared with blood, according to prosecutors. Officers also found a "rape harness," Antonietti said in court, explaining that the harness linked together male and female dogs and forced them to breed.

Zamora was not at home during the search but turned himself in to Chicago police on June 8, police said. He faces 10 felony counts of animal cruelty, 10 felony counts of animal owner duties and one felony count of possession of dog fighting equipment.

He was ordered held on a $75,000 bond Tuesday, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office. He is expected to appear in court again June 15.

(ABC7 Chicago - June 9, 2015)

Update: 
Looks like they allowed him to plead to much lesser charges of animal neglect.
**COURT: Bridgeview, 10220 S 76th, Rm109 (Judge Davy), 9:30am
  —-ZAMORA, Juan DOB 110765 (15CR0973101/15111522301, HY287473)
    charges(3): 2x owner duties (510ILCS70.0/3)/2nd violation        
                1x cruel treatment (510ILCS70/3.01)/2nd violation
    arrest: 09Jun15
    arresting officer:
    animals: 10 dogs (3 female, 7 male) forfeited
    history: 09Jun15, 15Jun, 29Jun, 07Jul, 07Aug, 24Sep, 10Nov, 09Dec, 07Jan16, 23Feb,
             24Feb, 17Mar, 14Apr, 31May, 02Jun
    note: $75k D-bond, 31May violation of bail bond filed, 02Jun16 released on 15k D-bond

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