Alleged puppy mill in St. Anne passed years of state inspections

ILLINOIS -- It's been almost three months since Kankakee Animal Control, along with a national animal rescue group, raided an alleged puppy mill in St. Anne, and still no charges have been filed against the owner.
 
While the Kankakee County State's Attorney says those charges are coming, a review of state records shows that Adrian's Puppy Paradise never once failed an inspection, and that accusations of animal abuse never were confirmed.

These findings come as Dianne Arp, of Companion Animals Protection Society, persists in seeking charges filed.

Last week, Arp, was not part of the initial raid back in April, was at the Kankakee County Board's community service committee for the third consecutive month, seeking answers from public officials.

"It's important to note that unless Louise and Adrian have their license pulled, and unless charges are filed, there is no deterrent or consequences for their behaviors and actions, and they are more likely to set up shop yet again in your county," Arp said.

Louise Gutierrez, the owner, willingly gave up 81 puppies back on April 7 after animal control showed up at her home with a search warrant. They said they found evidence of abuse and neglect but so far, misdemeanor charges against Gutierrez still are pending. No one involved will talk about the evidence, saying the investigation is under review.

That includes Julie Boudreau, the director of animal control, who said commenting on the case would "compromise all our hard work."

"They are doing everything they can to do the best that they can do," Boudreau said during that meeting last Wednesday. "I know that they didn't want to rush through it. There's a lot of documentation to go through, and I know that they are working on it."

According to documents obtained from the state department of agriculture, which licenses and regulates dog kennels, the state conducted 32 regular inspections between May 2002 and December 2014 and seven inspections between February 2009 and June 2014 after receiving formal complaints.

Each time, inspectors determined the living conditions were satisfactory. Their only consistent complaint was that Gutierrez failed to keep good records on all the puppies. They fined her several times.

Outside that, however, the official paper trail, which The Daily Journal reviewed using an open records request, doesn't show any wrongdoing on the part of Gutierrez, who has denied the allegations she mistreated her puppies.

According to a spokesperson for the state's ag department, it will not renew Gutierrez's kennel license pending the outcome of the investigation. Her current license expires June 30.

(The Daily Journal - June 29, 2015)