A man and woman were charged after police found five dead dogs and two dead cats in “different stages of decomposition” inside a Fox Lake home.
Cathryn N. Franke, 33, and Thomas J. Gilhooly, 38, both who now live in the 8900 block of David Place in Des Plaines, were charged with seven counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 4 felony.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy went to a residence in the 1-100 block of Hilltop Avenue in Fox Lake to enforce a court ordered eviction on January 6.
Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli said that Franke, who was one of the occupants in the residence, attempted to slam the door on the deputy enforcing the eviction.
The deputy entered the home and was overcome by an “extraordinarily foul odor,” Covelli said.
He located another occupant inside the home, identified as Gilhooly, and advised the man he needed to leave the residence. Both Gilhooly and Franke left the home.
The deputy continued walking through the home, which was covered in animal urine and feces. The deputy located five deceased dogs, which were all in different stages of decomposition inside the home. He also found two deceased cats in advanced stages of decomposition.
The Fox Lake Police Department and Fox Lake village authorities responded to the scene to continue the investigation. On March 16, the investigation was complete and police obtained an arrest warrant for Franke and Gilhooly.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Warrants Team began an apprehension investigation and on April 14 police located Gilhooly and Franke living at a residence in the 8900 block of David Place in Des Plaines. Both were arrested without incident and transported to the Lake County Jail.
Gilhooly and Franke remain held in the Lake County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Both are scheduled to appear in court on April 17.