Friday, June 26, 2009
Fox News Report, June 25, 2009
Watch the Mark Saxenmeyer report on Pet Rescue and the Illinois Department of Agriculture which aired on Thursday, June 25, 2009.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Daily Herald, April 16, 2009
Trial date set in Pet Rescue case
By: Christy Gutowski, Daily Herald Staff
A DuPage County judge upheld the state animal welfare law Thursday in Bloomingdale's beleaguered Pet Rescue court saga, clearing the way for a summer trial.
Judge Ronald Sutter denied a defense request to declare the law unconstitutional and, thus, allowed misdemeanor charges to stand against two of the no-kill animal shelter's operators.
An Aug. 10 trial date was set.
The shelter, which opened three decades ago, has been a subject of controversy for years as former volunteers, workers and clients accused operators of improper care of the animals.
Pet Rescue president Dale Armon, 74, and her director, Penny Horak, 69, are facing criminal charges alleging misdemeanor animal cruelty and violation of their duties after several cats and dogs got sick, some to the point they had to be euthanized.
Armon and Horak maintain their innocence.
As part of the criminal proceedings, Judge Sutter earlier ordered regular inspections of the shelter. State agriculture officials and a licensed veterinarian inspect the facility at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road at least three times a month.
The state department also is seeking to revoke Pet Rescue's license and impose a fine after state officials last month filed 22 new violations.
The privately run shelter is accused of failing to provide records for 21 cats and one dog, named Mickey Blue Eyes, that state officials requested. A May 19 hearing is set in Springfield.
This is the second time state officials tried to shut down Pet Rescue in recent months. Operators were accused of four earlier violations involving sick animals and the lack of a pressurized water source in an annex building.
Pet Rescue paid a $200 fine for one violation. In a March 3 ruling, administrative law judge John Shull allowed the shelter to remain open when he dismissed two other violations but upheld one regarding the water source. Pet Rescue is appealing the $500 fine.
By: Christy Gutowski, Daily Herald Staff
A DuPage County judge upheld the state animal welfare law Thursday in Bloomingdale's beleaguered Pet Rescue court saga, clearing the way for a summer trial.
Judge Ronald Sutter denied a defense request to declare the law unconstitutional and, thus, allowed misdemeanor charges to stand against two of the no-kill animal shelter's operators.
An Aug. 10 trial date was set.
The shelter, which opened three decades ago, has been a subject of controversy for years as former volunteers, workers and clients accused operators of improper care of the animals.
Pet Rescue president Dale Armon, 74, and her director, Penny Horak, 69, are facing criminal charges alleging misdemeanor animal cruelty and violation of their duties after several cats and dogs got sick, some to the point they had to be euthanized.
Armon and Horak maintain their innocence.
As part of the criminal proceedings, Judge Sutter earlier ordered regular inspections of the shelter. State agriculture officials and a licensed veterinarian inspect the facility at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road at least three times a month.
The state department also is seeking to revoke Pet Rescue's license and impose a fine after state officials last month filed 22 new violations.
The privately run shelter is accused of failing to provide records for 21 cats and one dog, named Mickey Blue Eyes, that state officials requested. A May 19 hearing is set in Springfield.
This is the second time state officials tried to shut down Pet Rescue in recent months. Operators were accused of four earlier violations involving sick animals and the lack of a pressurized water source in an annex building.
Pet Rescue paid a $200 fine for one violation. In a March 3 ruling, administrative law judge John Shull allowed the shelter to remain open when he dismissed two other violations but upheld one regarding the water source. Pet Rescue is appealing the $500 fine.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Daily Herald, April 10, 2009
New violations filed against Pet Rescue
By: Christy Gutowski
Bloomingdale's beleaguered Pet Rescue is facing more state scrutiny.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is seeking to revoke the no-kill animal shelter's license and impose a fine after state officials filed 22 new violations.
The privately run shelter is accused of failing to provide records for 21 cats and one dog, named Mickey Blue Eyes, that state officials requested. A May 19 hearing is set in Springfield.
"It is a record-keeping matter, but it's a basic requirement under the statute," said Jeff Squibb, the agriculture department's spokesman. "We believe it's critical on behalf of the care of animals."
This is the second time state officials tried to shut down Pet Rescue in recent months. Operators were accused of four earlier violations involving sick animals and the lack of a pressurized water source in an annex building.
Pet Rescue paid a $200 fine for one violation. In a March 3 ruling, administrative law judge John Shull allowed the shelter to remain open when he dismissed two other violations but upheld one regarding the water source. Pet Rescue is appealing the $500 fine.
The shelter, which opened three decades ago, has been a subject of controversy for years as former volunteers, workers and clients accused operators of improper care of the animals.
In fact, a Carol Stream woman is facing a misdemeanor theft charge after being accused of trying to steal a puppy when her adoption attempt was denied. Her lawyer said the woman was so troubled by Pet Rescue conditions that she feared for the puppy's safety.
Pet Rescue president Dale Armon, 74, and her director, Penny Horak, 69, also are facing criminal charges alleging misdemeanor animal cruelty and violation of their duties for several sick cats and dogs, some of whom had to be euthanized.
Armon and Horak maintain their innocence. A March 23 trial was postponed.
Defense attorney Rick Schoenfield argues the state animal welfare law is unconstitutional. Lawyers may argue before DuPage Associate Judge Ronald Sutter during an April 16 court hearing. Schoenfield said he feels so passionately about the shelter's importance, he is working for free.
"My reason for doing so is my belief that Pet Rescue saves hundreds of animals a year that would otherwise be on the street or be killed," he said.
As part of the criminal proceedings, Judge Sutter ordered regular inspections of the shelter. Squibb said state agriculture officials and a licensed veterinarian inspect the facility at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road at least three times a month.
Meanwhile, Bloomingdale officials said they are holding off on a hearing to review Pet Rescue's special-use permit until the court and state agriculture proceedings conclude. The issue is on the village board's agenda for its 7:30 p.m. Monday meeting.
By: Christy Gutowski
Bloomingdale's beleaguered Pet Rescue is facing more state scrutiny.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is seeking to revoke the no-kill animal shelter's license and impose a fine after state officials filed 22 new violations.
The privately run shelter is accused of failing to provide records for 21 cats and one dog, named Mickey Blue Eyes, that state officials requested. A May 19 hearing is set in Springfield.
"It is a record-keeping matter, but it's a basic requirement under the statute," said Jeff Squibb, the agriculture department's spokesman. "We believe it's critical on behalf of the care of animals."
This is the second time state officials tried to shut down Pet Rescue in recent months. Operators were accused of four earlier violations involving sick animals and the lack of a pressurized water source in an annex building.
Pet Rescue paid a $200 fine for one violation. In a March 3 ruling, administrative law judge John Shull allowed the shelter to remain open when he dismissed two other violations but upheld one regarding the water source. Pet Rescue is appealing the $500 fine.
The shelter, which opened three decades ago, has been a subject of controversy for years as former volunteers, workers and clients accused operators of improper care of the animals.
In fact, a Carol Stream woman is facing a misdemeanor theft charge after being accused of trying to steal a puppy when her adoption attempt was denied. Her lawyer said the woman was so troubled by Pet Rescue conditions that she feared for the puppy's safety.
Pet Rescue president Dale Armon, 74, and her director, Penny Horak, 69, also are facing criminal charges alleging misdemeanor animal cruelty and violation of their duties for several sick cats and dogs, some of whom had to be euthanized.
Armon and Horak maintain their innocence. A March 23 trial was postponed.
Defense attorney Rick Schoenfield argues the state animal welfare law is unconstitutional. Lawyers may argue before DuPage Associate Judge Ronald Sutter during an April 16 court hearing. Schoenfield said he feels so passionately about the shelter's importance, he is working for free.
"My reason for doing so is my belief that Pet Rescue saves hundreds of animals a year that would otherwise be on the street or be killed," he said.
As part of the criminal proceedings, Judge Sutter ordered regular inspections of the shelter. Squibb said state agriculture officials and a licensed veterinarian inspect the facility at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road at least three times a month.
Meanwhile, Bloomingdale officials said they are holding off on a hearing to review Pet Rescue's special-use permit until the court and state agriculture proceedings conclude. The issue is on the village board's agenda for its 7:30 p.m. Monday meeting.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Department of Agriculture seeks to shut down Pet Rescue, issues "Formal Complaint & Notice of Hearing"
On March 27, 2009, the Department of Agriculture issued Pet Rescue a "Formal Complaint & Notice of Hearing" (Docket No. AW-09-16). The Department has charged an additional 22 violations of the Illinois Animal Welfare Act. The hearing date is listed as April 14, 2009, although we have been informed that it has been postponed due to motions by Pet Rescue's attorney.
In its Complaint, the Department of Agriculture states:
The Department is seeking revocation of Respondent's license.
Pet Rescue's attorney seems intent on allowing the animals at this pet prison to suffer for as long as he possibly can. He uses every legal game to drag the case out. He has filed a motion to continue to proceedings to "perform discovery." Ironic because discovery is a device to obtain documents and information from the other side, but ALL 22 violations are for Pet Rescue's failure to provide records to the Department of Agriculture. So, even though Pet Rescue has not complied with the state's request for documents, counsel for Pet Rescue is seeking to delay the revocation of the pet prison's license by demanding documents from the state.
The schedule is as follows: discovery requests are to be submitted to opposing counsel by April 28. Responses are due May 8. Another scheduling conference is scheduled for May 19. Hearing most likely will be June 2.
In its Complaint, the Department of Agriculture states:
The Department is seeking revocation of Respondent's license.
Pet Rescue's attorney seems intent on allowing the animals at this pet prison to suffer for as long as he possibly can. He uses every legal game to drag the case out. He has filed a motion to continue to proceedings to "perform discovery." Ironic because discovery is a device to obtain documents and information from the other side, but ALL 22 violations are for Pet Rescue's failure to provide records to the Department of Agriculture. So, even though Pet Rescue has not complied with the state's request for documents, counsel for Pet Rescue is seeking to delay the revocation of the pet prison's license by demanding documents from the state.
The schedule is as follows: discovery requests are to be submitted to opposing counsel by April 28. Responses are due May 8. Another scheduling conference is scheduled for May 19. Hearing most likely will be June 2.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Daily Herald, 12/1/08
Judge orders veterinary inspections at Pet Rescue shelter
By: Jake Griffin, Daily Herald Staff
A veterinarian will now accompany Illinois Department of Agriculture inspectors during visits to the embattled Pet Rescue animal shelter in Bloomingdale.
A DuPage County judge ordered the veterinarian inspections during a brief hearing Wednesday where prosecutors and lawyers for the owners of the animal shelter worked out a deal to allow the visits up to once a week during operating hours. The veterinarian will report his findings to the state inspector, which has been making weekly visits to ensure the 164 cats and 44 dogs are being properly cared for.
Lawyers for the shelter's owners said the veterinarian order was superfluous, but didn't find a reason to fight the request.
"We simply agreed to something we don't believe is necessary," said attorney Rick Schoenfield. "The vet is not going to do a physical examination of each and every animal, and the inspector is trained to look for animals that are sick."
The shelter at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road is operating under a special-use permit, which Bloomingdale officials are looking into revoking because of the ongoing allegations of abuse and mistreatment of the animals. That hearing was originally slated for this month, but village officials pushed it back to January at the earliest. The village's plan commission will hear the case first and then a recommendation will be passed on to the village board for a final decision.
The owners, Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley and Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, are facing 16 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. A trial date for the two women was set for March 23 at Wednesday's hearing.
Several animal rights advocates who appeared in court Wednesday said the they are concerned about the animals welfare in the meantime.
Assistant DuPage State's Attorney Mandy Meindl said the judge's order to allow visits by the veterinarian will help ensure the animals are properly cared for while the future of the shelter is being determined.
"They're not being mistreated now even though some people might say otherwise," she said. "This just ensures compliance and that the animals get continued care."
State officials suspended the shelter's operating license in October, but reinstated it a few weeks later pending an administrative hearing. Former workers and volunteers at the shelter accuse Armon and Horak of neglecting the animals in their care, a charge that Schoenfield said will be proven false.
By: Jake Griffin, Daily Herald Staff
A veterinarian will now accompany Illinois Department of Agriculture inspectors during visits to the embattled Pet Rescue animal shelter in Bloomingdale.
A DuPage County judge ordered the veterinarian inspections during a brief hearing Wednesday where prosecutors and lawyers for the owners of the animal shelter worked out a deal to allow the visits up to once a week during operating hours. The veterinarian will report his findings to the state inspector, which has been making weekly visits to ensure the 164 cats and 44 dogs are being properly cared for.
Lawyers for the shelter's owners said the veterinarian order was superfluous, but didn't find a reason to fight the request.
"We simply agreed to something we don't believe is necessary," said attorney Rick Schoenfield. "The vet is not going to do a physical examination of each and every animal, and the inspector is trained to look for animals that are sick."
The shelter at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road is operating under a special-use permit, which Bloomingdale officials are looking into revoking because of the ongoing allegations of abuse and mistreatment of the animals. That hearing was originally slated for this month, but village officials pushed it back to January at the earliest. The village's plan commission will hear the case first and then a recommendation will be passed on to the village board for a final decision.
The owners, Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley and Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, are facing 16 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. A trial date for the two women was set for March 23 at Wednesday's hearing.
Several animal rights advocates who appeared in court Wednesday said the they are concerned about the animals welfare in the meantime.
Assistant DuPage State's Attorney Mandy Meindl said the judge's order to allow visits by the veterinarian will help ensure the animals are properly cared for while the future of the shelter is being determined.
"They're not being mistreated now even though some people might say otherwise," she said. "This just ensures compliance and that the animals get continued care."
State officials suspended the shelter's operating license in October, but reinstated it a few weeks later pending an administrative hearing. Former workers and volunteers at the shelter accuse Armon and Horak of neglecting the animals in their care, a charge that Schoenfield said will be proven false.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Daily Herald, Letters to the Editor, 11/25/08
Pet Rescue case problems shameful
Hopefully, Dale Armon and Penny Horak, of the Pet Rescue Inc. of Bloomingdale and Hebron, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for their unconscionable disregard for the "law" exhibited in their behavior toward the unfortunate animals placed in their so-called care.
The death and suffering of countless innocent animals can be traced to lack of veterinary attention and the despicable conditions to which they were subjected under the management of these two women who fit the classic profile of "hoarders" and who have for 25-plus years viewed complainants with disdain and labeled them as those of "misguided zealots."
I pray there will be no more continuances due to the technicality of "notice to defendant" overlooked by both the DuPage state's attorney's office and the state.
This small misstep not only caused a month's delay in the trial, but also subjected the animals to yet more "prison" time. In the case of the dog Puji, it may have actually cost her life.
Inspections of the shelter turned up nothing even though dogs laying in their own feces and urine were not walked for 11 hours at a time. Mice infestation was everywhere and animals languished in their cramped dirty cages without vet care their silent cries for help going unanswered while written records on each went uninvestigated.
Endless amounts of documentation and complaints were presented on a "silver platter" to state and Bloomingdale police yet never acted upon. Shame on all involved for allowing this to continue.
Sharon A. Seremek
Itasca
Governments need to help animals
I am writing to express my concerns that the DuPage County State's Attorney and the Bloomingdale Police Department are not doing everything possible to protect the animals that are suffering terribly at Pet Rescue.
Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
These living, sentient creatures can't help themselves. Governmental agencies need to do what is morally right for these animals and do so in a timely manner.
Fran Stenberg
Oak Brook
Hopefully, Dale Armon and Penny Horak, of the Pet Rescue Inc. of Bloomingdale and Hebron, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for their unconscionable disregard for the "law" exhibited in their behavior toward the unfortunate animals placed in their so-called care.
The death and suffering of countless innocent animals can be traced to lack of veterinary attention and the despicable conditions to which they were subjected under the management of these two women who fit the classic profile of "hoarders" and who have for 25-plus years viewed complainants with disdain and labeled them as those of "misguided zealots."
I pray there will be no more continuances due to the technicality of "notice to defendant" overlooked by both the DuPage state's attorney's office and the state.
This small misstep not only caused a month's delay in the trial, but also subjected the animals to yet more "prison" time. In the case of the dog Puji, it may have actually cost her life.
Inspections of the shelter turned up nothing even though dogs laying in their own feces and urine were not walked for 11 hours at a time. Mice infestation was everywhere and animals languished in their cramped dirty cages without vet care their silent cries for help going unanswered while written records on each went uninvestigated.
Endless amounts of documentation and complaints were presented on a "silver platter" to state and Bloomingdale police yet never acted upon. Shame on all involved for allowing this to continue.
Sharon A. Seremek
Itasca
Governments need to help animals
I am writing to express my concerns that the DuPage County State's Attorney and the Bloomingdale Police Department are not doing everything possible to protect the animals that are suffering terribly at Pet Rescue.
Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
These living, sentient creatures can't help themselves. Governmental agencies need to do what is morally right for these animals and do so in a timely manner.
Fran Stenberg
Oak Brook
Daily Herald, Letters to the Editor, 11/24/08
It's time to close Pet Rescue
Pet Rescue needs to be closed. Unfortunately, it seems the governing agencies have not performed their mandated duties and have not seized the animals from Pet Rescue in a timely manner.
Hoarders typically insist the animals they have collected are well cared for despite blatant physical evidence to the contrary. Pet Rescue refuses to see the sickness, filth, dead, and dying animals that receive no veterinarian care. Pet Rescue refuses to voluntarily surrender animals believing their collection may be euthanized. Our goal is to not have these animals receive further harm, but to be adopted to loving homes. The resolution to this case is not coming soon enough.
We have been frustrated by a lack of cooperation from public agencies involved.
We are begging the following agencies: Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bloomingdale Police, the village board, and Joseph E. Birkettt's office to share information with each other and close Pet Rescue permanently.
We were so thoroughly dismayed to find the Illinois Department of Agriculture failed to give proper notice, delaying this case and rescinding the order to close Pet Rescue. Our hearts hurt. Such careless mistakes are being made when the lives of these animals are at stake. Those that have witnessed the blatant disregard for animal welfare firsthand, as we have, would understand how truly unconscionable these mistakes are in this critical case.
A society is judged by how it treats the least among them. We hope that all agencies involved cooperate so God's creatures at Pet Rescue will finally be able to find caring, loving forever families and homes
Susan Lillis
Elgin
Pet Rescue needs to be closed. Unfortunately, it seems the governing agencies have not performed their mandated duties and have not seized the animals from Pet Rescue in a timely manner.
Hoarders typically insist the animals they have collected are well cared for despite blatant physical evidence to the contrary. Pet Rescue refuses to see the sickness, filth, dead, and dying animals that receive no veterinarian care. Pet Rescue refuses to voluntarily surrender animals believing their collection may be euthanized. Our goal is to not have these animals receive further harm, but to be adopted to loving homes. The resolution to this case is not coming soon enough.
We have been frustrated by a lack of cooperation from public agencies involved.
We are begging the following agencies: Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bloomingdale Police, the village board, and Joseph E. Birkettt's office to share information with each other and close Pet Rescue permanently.
We were so thoroughly dismayed to find the Illinois Department of Agriculture failed to give proper notice, delaying this case and rescinding the order to close Pet Rescue. Our hearts hurt. Such careless mistakes are being made when the lives of these animals are at stake. Those that have witnessed the blatant disregard for animal welfare firsthand, as we have, would understand how truly unconscionable these mistakes are in this critical case.
A society is judged by how it treats the least among them. We hope that all agencies involved cooperate so God's creatures at Pet Rescue will finally be able to find caring, loving forever families and homes
Susan Lillis
Elgin
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