A judge found a McHenry man not guilty of starving and neglecting two dogs, while still facing additional charges for the neglect of other dogs. Prosecutors say he also wrapped up and dumped two dead dogs in a bin.
Jason J. Pastryk, 29, of McHenry, was charged in February 2025 with two counts of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor, and two counts of violation of owner duties, a Class B misdemeanor.
A criminal complaint alleges Pastryk cruelly treated two Pitbull dogs in a way that starved them to a point where the dogs became emaciated in September 2024.
Those dogs were named Meatball, a 3-year-old female, and Karma, a 3-year-old female.
The case was investigated by the McHenry Police Department after it responded to a separate incident and made the discovery of the animals.
McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney William Baker said the living conditions for both dogs were unfit for any animal to be living as the room they were in was full of feces and urine, which was consistent with them being in the room for a long period of time with no care.
Baker said it was learned that Pastryk also previously owned two other Pitbull dogs named Celine, a 3-year-old female, and Glock, a 3-year-old male, that died in Pastryk’s care.
Pastryk wrapped the dogs in plastic and stored them in bins before placing the bins on the edge of his ex-girlfriend’s property, Baker said.
Pastryk was additionally previously charged in October 2025 with two counts of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleged Pastryk mistreated two dogs in September 2025.
The complaint said Pastryk caused a 4-year-old female Pitbull named Max to experience “cruel treatment, starvation, and abuse” by failing to provide adequate shelter, care and nourishment for Max.
The complaint said Max exhibited visible signs of starvation, including emaciation, as well as infestation with flea and tick bites. She also had urine burns on multiple parts of her body.
The second dog, a 4-year-old female Pitbull named Eleven, also experienced “cruel treatment, starvation, and abuse” by failing to provide adequate shelter, care and nourishment for Eleven, the complaint said.
The complaint said Eleven exhibited visible signs of starvation, including emaciation, as well as infestation with flea and tick bites. She also had urine burns on multiple parts of her body.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Pastryk confirmed to deputies that the location was “his property” and at least one of the dogs was staying there under his direction, the complaint said.
Pastryk claimed he was paying people to care for the dogs but refused to provide any names, the complaint said.
Baker said the dogs were in an area that was full of feces and urine, which was consistent with them being there for a long period of time with no care.
McHenry County Department of Health Public Information Officer Nick Kubiak said the two separate charged incidents involved dogs connected to Pastryk and two different ex-girlfriends.
Karma and Meatball were never in McHenry County Animal Control custody. The two were temporarily in the care of an ex-girlfriend who became their legal owner after a domestic incident, Kubiak said.
The ex-girlfriend complied with veterinary care and a re-feeding plan after the charges were filed in the case. Both Karma and Meatball remain with her and are doing well, Kubiak said.
Eleven and Max were confiscated by animal control in September 2025 as evidence after a warrant was served at a residence in unincorporated McHenry.
Eleven has been transferred to a rescue and has since been adopted, Kubiak said. Max was available for adoption through McHenry County Animal Control as of last month.
No charges have been filed for the deaths of Glock and Celine.
Pastryk was arrested last month on a warrant after being charged in the second case and initially held in custody until his trial.
Court records show he went on bench trial in one of the two cases earlier this month.
McHenry County Judge Justin Hansen found Pastryk not guilty on the charges involving Karma and Meatball.
Pastryk has since been released from the McHenry County Jail after the not-guilty verdict.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on May 11 for a jury trial in his second case, which involves Eleven and Max.