A 21-year-old man has been charged after police found he left a dog and several kittens in his parked car for days in Highland Park, causing the dog to die.
Daniel F. Rosales, 21, of Zion, was charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 4 felony.
Highland Park Deputy Police Chief William Bonaguidi said officers were called on July 25, 2022, to NorthShore Highland Park Hospital, 777 Park Avenue West.
Hospital security staff noticed animals in a car and called the police.
Officers found a medium-sized dog and three kittens in the car, which belonged to Rosales.
The animals had been in the car for at least four days. The dog was deceased but the kittens were still alive, Bonaguidi said.
A family member came out to the scene and took possession of the kittens.
Bonaguidi said it was learned that Rosales had been arrested by the Highland Park Police Department four days prior at a different location.
Rosales had an active failure to appear warrant out of McHenry County at the time.
During his arrest, Rosales never told officers that the animals were in his car when he was taken into custody on the warrant, Bonaguidi said.
Rosales was charged in January with aggravated cruelty to animals and a warrant was issued. It is unclear why it took months for charges to be filed.
He was arrested on that warrant after the Highland Park Police Department responded to a disturbance call at a business last week.
Rosales was transported to the Lake County Jail where he was ordered held on a $200,000 bond.
He was released from custody after posting 10% of his bond.
A status hearing is scheduled for March 8.