Charges have been announced against two Huntley residents after police say over 50 dogs were found abandoned and nearly 20 other animals were found in poor health.
The Huntley Police Department and Boone County Sheriff’s Office on Monday announced the arrests of Bruce Walla, 54, of Huntley, (left) and Concepcion Rodriguez, 61, of Huntley.
The two, who reside in the 10600 block of Wheatlands Way in Huntley, are facing multiple charges of animal cruelty after months of investigation, according to Huntley Police Chief Linda Hooten.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office and Boone County Animal Services responded on July 15 to the Hammertime Unleashed Dog Park in Belvidere.
Authorities received a report that several dogs had been abandoned at the dog park, Hooten said.
Boone County Animal Services captured 54 Maltese mixed-breed dogs.
Hooten said all of the dogs were later turned over to multiple rescue organizations for treatment and to assist with fostering the dogs.
Rodriguez and Walla were identified as suspects during the investigation.
The Huntley Police Department and McHenry County Animal Control joined the investigation.
Hooten said search warrants obtained were executed on the two suspects’ home on Wheatlands Way in Huntley on July 25 by members of the Huntley Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry County Animal Control and Boone County Animal Services.
Court documents say 19 animals were found in poor health at the home, which was deemed uninhabitable. Those animals cats, dogs and a turtle.
The animals recovered were turned over to McHenry County Animal Control and they are receiving medical care, Hooten said.
Huntley police on Friday charged Rodriguez and Walla each with 19 counts of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, and 19 counts of violation of owner’s duties, a Class B misdemeanor.
They were booked and released from the Huntley Police Department with a future court date.
Rodriguez was additionally charged with 54 counts of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office for the dog park incident.
She was detained at Boone County Jail pending a detention hearing on Monday.
Anyone with additional information on the case is asked to contact the Boone County Sheriff’s Office at 815-544-2144 or the Huntley Police Department at 847-515-5311.