A Huntley man has avoided jail after pleading guilty after 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 in September announced the arrests of Bruce Walla, 55, of Huntley, and Concepcion Rodriguez, 61, of Huntley.
The two, who at the time resided in the 10600 block of Wheatlands Way in Huntley, were 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 included cats, dogs and a turtle.
The animals recovered were turned over to McHenry County Animal Control for medical care, Hooten said.
Rodriguez and Walla were each charged with 19 counts of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, and 19 counts of violation of owner’s duties, a Class B misdemeanor.
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.
They were booked and released from the Huntley Police Department.
Court records show Walla entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office on Friday.
He pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, in exchange for a sentence of one year of conditional discharge.
McHenry County Judge Christopher Harmon approved the plea deal, which Walla was also ordered to pay $514 in court fines and fees and $4,000 in restitution to animal control.
The case against Rodriguez remains ongoing.