Daily Herald, 9/24/2009 by Christy Gutowski
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan hopes to accomplish what local, county, and other state officials before her failed to do - shutter a long-embattled Bloomingdale animal shelter for good.
In explosive allegations, Madigan sued Pet Rescue president Dale Armon after accusing her of spending at least $70,000 of the nonprofit group's funds for personal use since 2007.
For example, the lawsuit alleges, Armon paid her Cook County property tax bill for a house in Berkeley in 2008 with shelter assets. Authorities accused her of improperly spending more funds at restaurants, stores and motels in the Hebron, Woodstock and Lake Geneva areas.
Armon, 75, also lives rent free in a Pet Rescue-owned home in Hebron, the suit states.
Madigan asked a Cook County judge to freeze all Pet Rescue assets, order a thorough review of its books, bar property sales, dissolve nonprofit status, transfer assets to a "bona fide existing charity," and close the shelter.
Armon and her board of directors also are accused of allowing donations to be solicited and accepted despite the fact Pet Rescue hasn't been registered to do so since January 2008. The nonprofit group lost its registration due to incomplete 2006 financial records.
Madigan is going after Armon criminally as well by seeking to have her found in indirect civil contempt on suspicion she violated a July 2004 consent decree with the attorney general's office to comply with all accounting and reporting requirements. The consent decree grew out of a 2000 lawsuit.
Armon may face up to six months behind bars and more than $50,000 in civil fines.
At last count, state officials said, Pet Rescue has 150 cats, 50 dogs, several birds, guinea pigs and rabbits in its shelter at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road. It took in about $1.26 million in public donations between 2006 and 2007, according to attorney general officials, who said they've had access to a small portion of financial records since 2007.
The no-kill animal shelter, in operation since 1973, long has been the subject of controversy as former clients, volunteers and workers accused the elderly operators of hoarding animals and providing improper care rather than adopting them out to suitable homes.
Various efforts to revoke the shelter's operating license and special-use permit have repeatedly stalled. One year ago, DuPage prosecutors charged Armon and her director, Penny I. Horak, 70, with misdemeanor animal cruelty and violation of their duties after several cats and dogs became sick, some to the point they had to be euthanized.
Their trial was supposed to begin Monday and, after it was delayed, critics who have argued authorities are turning a blind eye as animals suffer in silence staged a peaceful courthouse protest. In the meantime, the judge in the case earlier ordered regular inspections a few times a month to ensure the animals are receiving proper care.
Neither Armon nor Horak have responded in recent years to Daily Herald telephone requests for comment. Both are fighting the misdemeanor charges in court. Pet Rescue attorney Rick Schoenfield has repeatedly denied criticism that the animals are receiving improper care. He also submitted financial records in June to state officials, but they said that information was incomplete.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Fox News Chicago, 9/22/2009
Attorney General Takes Action Against Animal Shelter
Updated: Tuesday, 22 Sep 2009, 10:47 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 22 Sep 2009, 10:41 PM CDT
By Mark Saxenmeyer
Tonight, a Fox Chicago investigation gets results... The State Attorney General's Office is seeking civil and criminal sanctions against a Dupage County animal shelter. The action comes after we brought to light allegations of animal abuse, neglect and other misconduct. Mark Saxenmeyer has the exclusive details.
**************
It is images like this: angry dogs kept in cages in complete darkness…emaciated cats losing their fur...animals in desperate need of medical attention that rarely, if ever, comes, according to former workers at Pet Rescue Inc.
But now, the State Attorney General's Office says there are even more troubling issues here--financial ones. In these new complaints, the State Attorney General says Pet Rescue's owner, Dale Armon, and members of her board of directors, have been illegally soliciting donations for the shelter. As we first reported a year ago, they shouldn't be accepting any money as a charity because the shelter has failed to file audited financial records with the state, a requirement of all non-profit organizations.
The State Attorney General goes on to claim that in the last two and a half years Armon has put 70,000 dollars donated to help the animals in her care at Pet Rescue into her own pockets. The complaint claims she spent 7,000 dollars at restaurants, stores and hotels, more than 5,000 dollars at Walgreens alone, and nearly 4,000 dollars to pay property taxes on her personal home.
News of the Attorney General's action thrills those who have worked tirelessly to try and shut down the shelter.
“They take in plenty of money in cash but didn't hire a vet, renovated the facility, or hired staff. What did they do? They went out and bought property. And where do they live? On that property. The whole thing has been, it's been a fraud on the public “ Said Animal Welfare Activist Cherie Travis. “The animals should have been seized from the beginning”
In the meantime, shelter critics are livid that a judge has granted a defense motion to delay the criminal trial of Armon and shelter manager Penny Horak in Dupage County. Both women face 20 counts of animal cruelty.
The State Department of Agriculture also charged Pet Rescue Inc. with dozens of violations of the State Animal Welfare Act months ago, but it too has yet to make a ruling on any of them.
“These women are walking free while these animals are rotting in cages right now” added Travis.
Legal experts say the Attorney General's actions today send a strong message to not just Pet Rescue Inc. but to all Illinois charities. If you solicit money for a certain cause and it doesn't go to that cause, you can expect a knock on your door. The attorney for Dale Armon didn’t respond tonight to our request for comment.
Updated: Tuesday, 22 Sep 2009, 10:47 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 22 Sep 2009, 10:41 PM CDT
By Mark Saxenmeyer
Tonight, a Fox Chicago investigation gets results... The State Attorney General's Office is seeking civil and criminal sanctions against a Dupage County animal shelter. The action comes after we brought to light allegations of animal abuse, neglect and other misconduct. Mark Saxenmeyer has the exclusive details.
**************
It is images like this: angry dogs kept in cages in complete darkness…emaciated cats losing their fur...animals in desperate need of medical attention that rarely, if ever, comes, according to former workers at Pet Rescue Inc.
But now, the State Attorney General's Office says there are even more troubling issues here--financial ones. In these new complaints, the State Attorney General says Pet Rescue's owner, Dale Armon, and members of her board of directors, have been illegally soliciting donations for the shelter. As we first reported a year ago, they shouldn't be accepting any money as a charity because the shelter has failed to file audited financial records with the state, a requirement of all non-profit organizations.
The State Attorney General goes on to claim that in the last two and a half years Armon has put 70,000 dollars donated to help the animals in her care at Pet Rescue into her own pockets. The complaint claims she spent 7,000 dollars at restaurants, stores and hotels, more than 5,000 dollars at Walgreens alone, and nearly 4,000 dollars to pay property taxes on her personal home.
News of the Attorney General's action thrills those who have worked tirelessly to try and shut down the shelter.
“They take in plenty of money in cash but didn't hire a vet, renovated the facility, or hired staff. What did they do? They went out and bought property. And where do they live? On that property. The whole thing has been, it's been a fraud on the public “ Said Animal Welfare Activist Cherie Travis. “The animals should have been seized from the beginning”
In the meantime, shelter critics are livid that a judge has granted a defense motion to delay the criminal trial of Armon and shelter manager Penny Horak in Dupage County. Both women face 20 counts of animal cruelty.
The State Department of Agriculture also charged Pet Rescue Inc. with dozens of violations of the State Animal Welfare Act months ago, but it too has yet to make a ruling on any of them.
“These women are walking free while these animals are rotting in cages right now” added Travis.
Legal experts say the Attorney General's actions today send a strong message to not just Pet Rescue Inc. but to all Illinois charities. If you solicit money for a certain cause and it doesn't go to that cause, you can expect a knock on your door. The attorney for Dale Armon didn’t respond tonight to our request for comment.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Daily Herald, 9/22/2009
Pet Rescue operators' trial delayed again, much to protesters' chagrin
by Christy Gutowski, Daily Herald Staff
A trial for operators of Bloomingdale's Pet Rescue was postponed again Monday, sparking protest from critics who argue neglected cats and dogs are "rotting in cages" amid delay after delay.
Toting signs such as "No Justice for the Animals," about one dozen peaceful demonstrators took authorities to task for allowing the misdemeanor case to drag on in court for more than a year.
The no-kill animal shelter, in operation more than three decades, long has been the subject of controversy as former clients, volunteers and workers accused the operators of hoarding animals and providing improper care rather than adopting them out to suitable homes.
One year ago, prosecutors charged Pet Rescue President Dale Armon and her director Penny I. Horak with misdemeanor animal cruelty and violation of their duties after several cats and dogs became sick, some to the point they had to be euthanized.
Both women maintain their innocence.
So far, DuPage Associate Judge Ronald Sutter has allowed two trial delays. On Monday, he granted a continuance to allow the defense time to respond to new evidence the prosecution said it uncovered during a recent witness interviews.
"We feel it has gone on far too long," said Kris Nesheim, a protest organizer. "It's beyond frustrating. It is clearly a blatant disregard for the law."
Sutter earlier ordered regular inspections of the shelter at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road. State agriculture officials said they inspect the shelter with a licensed veterinarian two to three times a month.
"I agree this case has dragged on too long," DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett responded, "but my assistants are duty bound to disclose all additional information they uncovered to the defense."
The state agriculture department also has tried to revoke Pet Rescue's operating license, but its administrative hearings on the matter also often have been postponed. And Bloomingdale officials planned a public hearing in December 2008 to revoke Pet Rescue's special-use permit, but the hearing never took place because local officials thought it best not to interfere with the state investigation.
Critics, many of whom said they witnessed atrocities first hand, argue local, county and state officials have allowed the situation to fester far too long.
"This case is completely out of control," said attorney Cherie Travis, who represents those behind the effort to shutter the shelter. "It is absolutely unacceptable that the animals are rotting in cages with the county veterinarian taking care of them and the trial postponed indefinitely."
by Christy Gutowski, Daily Herald Staff
A trial for operators of Bloomingdale's Pet Rescue was postponed again Monday, sparking protest from critics who argue neglected cats and dogs are "rotting in cages" amid delay after delay.
Toting signs such as "No Justice for the Animals," about one dozen peaceful demonstrators took authorities to task for allowing the misdemeanor case to drag on in court for more than a year.
The no-kill animal shelter, in operation more than three decades, long has been the subject of controversy as former clients, volunteers and workers accused the operators of hoarding animals and providing improper care rather than adopting them out to suitable homes.
One year ago, prosecutors charged Pet Rescue President Dale Armon and her director Penny I. Horak with misdemeanor animal cruelty and violation of their duties after several cats and dogs became sick, some to the point they had to be euthanized.
Both women maintain their innocence.
So far, DuPage Associate Judge Ronald Sutter has allowed two trial delays. On Monday, he granted a continuance to allow the defense time to respond to new evidence the prosecution said it uncovered during a recent witness interviews.
"We feel it has gone on far too long," said Kris Nesheim, a protest organizer. "It's beyond frustrating. It is clearly a blatant disregard for the law."
Sutter earlier ordered regular inspections of the shelter at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road. State agriculture officials said they inspect the shelter with a licensed veterinarian two to three times a month.
"I agree this case has dragged on too long," DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett responded, "but my assistants are duty bound to disclose all additional information they uncovered to the defense."
The state agriculture department also has tried to revoke Pet Rescue's operating license, but its administrative hearings on the matter also often have been postponed. And Bloomingdale officials planned a public hearing in December 2008 to revoke Pet Rescue's special-use permit, but the hearing never took place because local officials thought it best not to interfere with the state investigation.
Critics, many of whom said they witnessed atrocities first hand, argue local, county and state officials have allowed the situation to fester far too long.
"This case is completely out of control," said attorney Cherie Travis, who represents those behind the effort to shutter the shelter. "It is absolutely unacceptable that the animals are rotting in cages with the county veterinarian taking care of them and the trial postponed indefinitely."
Friday, September 18, 2009
Trial Delayed--Justice Denied
Witnesses were notified by prosecutors this afternoon that the defendants have filed an "emergency motion" to delay the trial and that the state's attorney's office had no information as to when the trial would begin.
Witnesses, former volunteers and others are furious that the animals continue to sit in cages while the defense finds yet ANOTHER stalling technique.
A protest at the Wheaton Courthouse will be held on Monday, Sept. 21 at 8:30am to condemn the delay of the trial of two women accused of 20 counts of cruelty and neglect of animals in their care. Many observers believe that Armon and Horak should live out their days in the same small cages in the basement of the Pet Rescue facility.
Witnesses, former volunteers and others are furious that the animals continue to sit in cages while the defense finds yet ANOTHER stalling technique.
A protest at the Wheaton Courthouse will be held on Monday, Sept. 21 at 8:30am to condemn the delay of the trial of two women accused of 20 counts of cruelty and neglect of animals in their care. Many observers believe that Armon and Horak should live out their days in the same small cages in the basement of the Pet Rescue facility.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Criminal Trial against Pet Rescue begins Monday
The trial begins on Monday, September 21 at 9:00 a.m. at the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton.
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