A Harvard dog breeder pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and was sentenced to probation for neglecting 42 German shepherds, five of which died in his care.
Jan Wolanin, 71, of the 400 block of Brook Lane in Glenview, was charged on August 23, 2019, with five counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 4 felony, three counts of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, and four counts of violating animal owner duties, a Class B misdemeanor.
A grand jury indictment alleged that Wolanin failed to provide humane care and treatment for his 42 German shepherd dogs on his property located at 18113 Route 173 in Harvard.
The indictment also said that he failed to provide good quality food and water along with adequate shelter for the dogs.
Eight of the dogs, including a 15-year-old male, 6-year-old female, 7-week-old female, 4-week-old female, 4-week-old male, 1-year-old female, 7-month-old female and 4-year-old female, were either seriously injured or died due to Wolanin’s neglect, the indictment said.
Philip Prossnitz, Wolanin’s attorney, told the Northwest Herald that his client is “experiencing a significant cognitive decline” and a thorough psychological evaluation was performed on him.
Prosecutors reached a negotiated plea deal with Wolanin, who pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, on Wednesday.
Prosecutors dropped all of Wolanin’s other charges as part of the deal.
Wolanin will be required to pay $29,929 in restitution to the McHenry County Animal Control and $1,364 in court fines and fees, according to court records.
He will also be required to provide the judge with a psychological evaluation before he is released from his two-year probation.
Wolanin has been barred from owning or caring for any animals, court records show.