Close Pet Rescue

Daily Herald, 11/5/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:03:00 +0000

License revoked from Bloomingdale animal shelter
By: Marco Santana, Daily Herald Staff

A long-embattled Bloomingdale animal shelter lost its license Wednesday, effectively shutting down the controversial site at least until it goes through an appeal process.

Pet Rescue Inc. now has 30 days to appeal the administrative law judge's ruling, which said the shelter failed to provide timely records to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

In the past, former clients and volunteers have accused the shelter of hoarding animals and providing improper care.

A complaint filed by the state in April claimed that the shelter did not provide records covering a five-month period, from August 2008 to February.

"It's a good start," said Cherie Travis, an attorney who has represented a group trying to shut down the shelter. "But I think it's taken way too long."

In a report filed as evidence at an August hearing, the department of agriculture said the shelter denied or ignored several requests for records concerning four animals. The shelter took up to nine months to provide records for another 18 animals.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Spokesman Jeff Squibb said the department has worked with local authorities to push the case forward. The revocation means the shelter cannot operate in Bloomingdale based on a zoning ordinance that requires a license.

"Our position is that Pet Rescue is no longer a licensed facility and, therefore, cannot adopt out or transfer its animals," he said.

Squibb said the facility had been on the department's radar for many years as complaints mounted.

Pet Rescue Director Penny Horak has said any denial or failed compliance was done in error. A phone call to Pet Rescue Attorney Rick Schoenfield was not returned.

The ruling is the latest in an ongoing saga concerning the shelter.

The shelter lost its license for about a month in 2008 after state officials accused Horak and owner Dale Armon of animal cruelty.

In April, a state complaint challenging the shelter's compliance with inspection reports was filed, and in September, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan accused Armon of using donated money intended to help the shelter for personal use.

Madigan goes after pet shelter operator

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:35:00 +0000

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.

Fox News Chicago, 9/22/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:38:00 +0000

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.

Daily Herald, 9/22/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:02:00 +0000

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."

Trial Delayed--Justice Denied

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:39:00 +0000

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.

Criminal Trial against Pet Rescue begins Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:06:00 +0000

The trial begins on Monday, September 21 at 9:00 a.m. at the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton.

Fox News Report, June 25, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:36:00 +0000

Watch the Mark Saxenmeyer report on Pet Rescue and the Illinois Department of Agriculture which aired on Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Daily Herald, April 16, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:09:00 +0000

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.

Daily Herald, April 10, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:28:00 +0000

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.

Department of Agriculture seeks to shut down Pet Rescue, issues "Formal Complaint & Notice of Hearing"

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:15:00 +0000

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.

Daily Herald, 12/1/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:09:00 +0000

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.

Daily Herald, Letters to the Editor, 11/25/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:36:00 +0000

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

Daily Herald, Letters to the Editor, 11/24/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:30:00 +0000

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

Next Court Date: November 24

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:42:00 +0000

Please attend the next hearing on the Pet Rescue case:

Monday, November 24
8:30 am
Courtroom 4007
DuPage County Courthouse
Wheaton

Letters to the Editor Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:49:00 +0000

Please write letters to the editor expressing concern that the DuPage County State's Attorney and the Bloomingdale Police Department need to do more to protect the animals that are still suffering at Pet Rescue.

The Daily Herald:
dpfencepost@dailyherald.com
Fax: 630-955-0895

The Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-lettertotheeditor,0,3578487.customform

Letters must be signed and include your address and phone number so the newspapers can verify authorship. Addresses and phone numbers will not be printed. Letters must be limited to 300 words.

Calls needed to DuPage State's Attorney

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:56:00 +0000

Despite the criminal charges pending against Horak and Armon, the animals are still living in cages at the Bloomingdale facility and suffering. There are only a handful of people to to take care of more than 200 animals each week. Sources say that Horak has instructed her people to cut back on the pet food to save money. Meanwhile, Horak and Armon continue to live in a $700,000 farm in Hebron paid for with Pet Rescue donations. It is unconscionable.

Please ask State's Attorney Joe Birkett to:
1) get a search warrant to have a DuPage county veterinarian inspect the animals
2) file additional charges against Horak and Armon and bring new charges against a shelter worker who put a seriously injured dog back into a cage on Saturday to suffer rather than seek veterinary care
3) look into whether financial crimes have been committed by Horak and Armon who continually plead poverty and deny the animals basic care despite reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in donations.

Joseph Birkett
DuPage County State's Attorney
503 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone (630) 407-8000
TDD(630) 510-3611
Fax(630) 407-8151
Email: stsattn@dupageco.org

Daily Herald, November 13, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:35:00 +0000

Bloomingdale sets hearing over animal shelter's license
By Christy Gutowski | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 11/13/2008

Under scrutiny by the state, and with protests mounting from former clients, workers and volunteers, the embattled Pet Rescue could be shut down by the village of Bloomingdale.

Village leaders will hold a public hearing next month to consider revoking Pet Rescue's special-use permit for the first time since the animal shelter opened its doors there three decades ago.

The move, in part, is in response to growing complaints of alleged inhumane care at the privately run, no-kill shelter. Two of its top officials also face criminal cruelty charges, and their state operating license is in jeopardy.

"This has been a problem for a number of years," Bloomingdale Village President Robert Iden said. "We can pull the special-use permit, but that can't be done overnight. We're not just going to put a padlock on the front door so that no one can get in or go out.

But, he added, "We want the right resolution sooner rather than later."

Finding the right resolution, though, lies at the heart of a heated debate.

State officials confirmed Wednesday the shelter at 151 N. Bloomingdale Road is housing 164 cats and 44 dogs, double an earlier estimate. An Illinois Department of Agriculture inspector is checking in on the animals once a week, as recently as Monday, to ensure they have adequate food, water, shelter and proper care.

The state department suspended Pet Rescue's operating license Oct. 16 after a fourth alleged violation, but it was reinstated last week pending an administrative hearing later this year.

"The most current report is that the animals are being cared for and that (Pet Rescue) is meeting the statutory requirements," said Jeff Squibb, a department spokesman. "It's my understanding this facility has been a chronic problem, but to say there has not been any inspections or attempt to discipline them, is not an accurate statement."

Critics, many of whom said they witnessed atrocities firsthand, argue local, county, and state officials have allowed the situation to fester too long.

They said Pet Rescue officials are "hoarders," who'd rather see an animal live its life in a cage devoid of human contact rather than be put up for adoption. They describe conditions so filthy, the animals have red eyes due to the overpowering ammonia smell of urine and languish in feces-laden cages.

One volunteer, Lori Chaussey of Addison, started a letter-writing campaign last summer.

"I continue to stay because of the animals," she said in one letter to DuPage County prosecutors. "Believe me, it is easier to walk away and not be continually reminded of the neglect."

Afterward, Chaussey said, Pet Rescue officials let her go.

Pet Rescue president Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley, and her director, Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, are facing 16 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. In a separate case, a Carol Stream woman whose puppy adoption was denied is charged with theft after she tried to run off with a white Pappillon because the woman said she feared for its safety.

Police also are investigating whether a Pet Rescue worker should face criminal charges for denying proper veterinarian care to a male pitbull-mix dog who suffered multiple bites and a large cut during a Saturday dog fight at the shelter. Hours later, on Sunday, another worker rushed him to the Bloomingdale Animal Hospital for surgery.

A former worker, Victoria Cortez, of Streamwood, said the poor conditions have existed as far back as the 1990s when she worked for Pet Rescue as a veterinary technician for three months before she quit in disgust.

"Their idea of a 'no kill' shelter is abominable," Cortez said. "I remember a male gray tabby kitten with distemper who had a 106-degree temperature and was vomiting and had diarrhea. You couldn't pick it up because it was in so much pain. I was told, 'We don't kill here. Let God takes its course.' I watched that cat suffer for three days until it died."

If state agriculture officials suspend Pet Rescue's operating license, the shelter may reapply one year later. If Bloomingdale leaders revoke the special-use permit, which involves zoning issues, the shelter can no longer operate at the site. Neither public hearing date has been set yet, but both are expected next month.

Many authorities expressed frustration at the situation, which they blame a poorly written state animal welfare law for allowing to exist. They are strategizing possible options to best protect the animals, which are viewed under the law as Pet Rescue's private property unless ownership is relinquished or otherwise forfeited.

Meanwhile, Armon and Horak are back in court Nov. 24, when prosecutors will ask a judge to grant unannounced inspections with a licensed veterinarian. Both pleaded not guilty. They repeatedly denied interview requests and could not be reached Wednesday, but their lawyer, Rick Schoenfield, said they expect to be vindicated.

Daily Herald, 11/7/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:35:00 +0000

Bloomingdale animal shelter gets license back before hearing

By Christy Gutowski | Daily Herald Staff

In a victory for Pet Rescue, the Bloomingdale animal shelter had its license reinstated Thursday pending a hearing to protest alleged violations.

Pet Rescue lost its license Oct. 16 after state agriculture officials cited it for a fourth allegation.

Attorney Rick Schoenfield filed an emergency motion to lift the suspension, arguing the shelter was denied a fair chance to respond. An administrative law judge overseeing the state agriculture department suspension agreed.

A date for the administrative hearing has not been set yet. If the suspension is enforced, Pet Rescue may apply for a new license in one year.

"We expect that the claims will be rejected at the next hearing," Schoenfield said. "This will allow Pet Rescue to focus on caring for its animals."

The private no-kill shelter has been a subject of controversy for years as former volunteers, workers and clients criticized it for providing improper care to the animals.

The shelter's owner, Dale Armon, 74, and its director, Penny Horak, 69, are facing misdemeanor charges alleging animal cruelty and the violation of their duties for several sick cats and dogs, some of whom had to be euthanized.

Both women deny the charges and are due back in court Nov. 24.

Prosecutors also will ask a judge to force shelter officials to allow an independent official such as a DuPage County animal control officer to come in with a licensed veterinarian to check on the animals, mostly cats and dogs.

The state agriculture violations allege Pet Rescue lacked a pressurized water source or handwashing facility in its annex building. Earlier violations involved two adopted cats that had conjunctivitis, severe upper respiratory infections, pus coming out of their ears and a 104-degree temperature. A third sick cat named Mia had to be euthanized.

Calls desperately needed to Joe Birkett! Call today!

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:07:00 +0000

The conditions for the animals have gotten even worse. Please ask DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett to personally intervene in this case. He needs to file an emergency motion to get a veterinarian into the facility and examine the animals. Otherwise, they will be removing 150-200 dog and cat carcasses from this “Pet Prison.”

Joe Birkett, DuPage County State's Attorney
Phone:(630) 407-8000

Daily Herald Editorial, 10/31/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:36:00 +0000

Adopt a shelter pet now if you can
Daily Herald Editorial Board

At a time when there is a lot in the news and in our lives that is tough to take, among the most mystifying are the stories about innocent children and animals being abused and victimized.

Sadly, we've had to write a lot recently about a suspected case of hundreds of animals being abused and neglected at Pet Rescue in Bloomingdale. The nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter's license was revoked recently by the Illinois Department of Agriculture after a fourth violation.

No one has been convicted of anything yet and we all should remember that. Director Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, faces misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and violation of duties. Owner Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley, faces 16, similar misdemeanor counts after several shelter cats and dogs had to be euthanized.

That such a thing could happen in the midst of our fairly affluent suburbs remains hard to believe. What is most frustrating and mystifying are the reports that indicate good, caring volunteers and clients have been trying to save the animals there; to get what they saw as a horrific situation fixed for years. Why did it take four violations? Why has it taken so long for the village, county and state officials to act? Daily Herald Legal Affairs Writer Christy Gutowski has reported the shelter has been the focus of civil probes for years. Former workers and clients have picketed, lodged repeated complaints and set up a Web site about the shelter. Several people, she reported, worked undercover this summer to help law enforcement officials gather evidence. If any of the allegations are true, it's hard not to wonder how many innocent animals could have been saved if state and county officials had acted with more urgency.

The shelter's attorney, Rick Schoenfield, filed an emergency motion Tuesday to lift the license suspension, arguing his clients were denied a chance to respond.

"All of the charges allege that there was a lack of necessary veterinarian care," Schoenfield said. "Pet Rescue has veterinarians that it uses and gets the animals care as needed. We expect to be completely vindicated."

That may be. But if any animals in Bloomingdale, and at the shelter's farm in Hebron, need more help, we urge officials to get to them and provide it immediately.

And we urge all who are reading about this case to not let these stories deter you from adopting a pet from the many worthy animal shelters operating in our suburbs. October just happens to be adopt-a-shelter-pet month and we know from our own experience shelter cats and dogs can bring a lifetime of companionship, joy, and love. Certainly, caring for another life _ human or animal _ is a big responsibility with significant costs and risks. The rewards can be even greater.

In these challenging times, if you have the resources, the love and commitment in your heart to make life better for one needy animal, we strongly encourage you to visit an animal shelter soon and take the plunge. You'll be doing so much good and you'll reap the rewards for years to come.

Chicago Tribune, 10/30/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:35:00 +0000

Neglect court case means shelter's cats can't be moved
Bloomingdale business' operators are charged in criminal case
Tribune staff report
October 30, 2008

A DuPage County judge on Wednesday ordered a Bloomingdale animal shelter not to remove or transfer 13 cats that are considered evidence in the criminal charges against two of the shelter's operators.

The judge delayed a decision on allowing unannounced inspections of Pet Rescue Inc., 151 N. Bloomingdale Rd., until the defendants' Nov. 24 court date.

Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, a director of the shelter, Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley, the facility's owner, and Pet Rescue are each charged with 16 counts of animal neglect.

The state has suspended the shelter's license to take in any more animals or adopt any out.

MySuburbanLife, 10/29/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:32:00 +0000

Judge bars shelter from removing animalsBy Dan Petrella, dpetrella@mysuburbanlife.com
Suburban Life Publications
Wed Oct 29, 2008, 04:00 PM CDT

Bloomingdale, IL -
A DuPage County judge ordered Wednesday that 13 animals involved in a criminal case against the operators of a Bloomingdale shelter must remain there, at least until a court hearing next month.

Pet Rescue and two of its officers each have been charged with 16 misdemeanor counts for animal cruelty and violation of owners’ duties. The Illinois Department of Agriculture suspended the shelter’s license earlier this month.

In addition to the company, director Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, and president Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley, have been charged. Both women face up to a year in jail if they are convicted.

Associate Judge Jane Hird Mitton ordered the animals can only leave the shelter to receive veterinary care.

“The order will be that the animals that are subject to these complaints are not transferred out of the facility,” she said.

Prosecutors are also seeking a court order to allow county or state officials to make regular inspections of the shelter. A hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 24 to decide that matter.

Assistant state’s attorney Amanda Meindl said authorities were concerned that without a court order barring their transfer, some of the animals may have been moved to another property in Hebron.

Horak’s defense attorney, Rick Schoenfield, said the shelter was deprived of due process because the Department of Agriculture suspended its license without a hearing.

According to state documents, the license for Pet Rescue was suspended for 12 months after a fourth violation of the Illinois Humane Care of Animals Act was discovered at the facility Oct. 16. The violation indicates there was no operating handwashing facility in one of the buildings on the site.

Jeff Squibb, communications manager for the IDOA, said employees at Pet Rescue are caring for the animals housed there, and are being monitored by the IDOA, local police and the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office.

For about 30 years, former Pet Rescue volunteers have been trying to shut the shelter down due to the poor conditions in which they say animals there are kept.

Cherie Travis, of Downers Grove, is associate director of the Center for Animal Law at DePaul University.
After Wednesday’s court hearing, she said the former volunteers are not only concerned that the animals involved in the case may be transferred, but that any of the 200 animals could be taken away from the shelter.

“The issue is that they’re all being neglected,” Travis said.

Staff writer David Heitz contributed to this report.

Chicago Tribune, 10/29/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:28:00 +0000

Judge to animal shelter: Don't move cats
October 29, 2008 at 12:02 PM

A Bloomingdale animal shelter was ordered today not to remove or transfer 13 cats considered evidence in the criminal case against two of the shelters operators.

DuPage County Judge Jane Mitton delayed a decision on allowing unannounced inspections of Pet Rescue until the defendants' next court date.

DuPage County prosecutors filed 16 charges of animal neglect in September against Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, a director of the shelter, claiming that 13 cats were neglected or treated cruelly there. On Friday prosecutors filed the same charges against Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley, listed as the owner of the facility, as well as Pet Rescue Inc., 151 N. Bloomingdale Road.

Earlier this month the Illinois Department of Agriculture suspended the license of the shelter, denying it permission to take in any more animals or adopting any out.

Assistant State's Atty. Amanda Meindl told the judge that Pet Rescue has a McHenry County facility and that prosecutors didn't want the animals involved in the case transferred out of DuPage County.

Mitton said that she would review the request to have unannounced inspections of the Bloomingdale facility, which still reportedly holds 100 or more animals, until Nov. 24, when all three criminal cases are up for status.

If convicted, the two defendants face up to a year in jail.

Each of the court hearings on the case has been attended by up to a dozen people opposed to the shelter's operations, contending that the animals are mistreated and that sick animals have been adopted out.

--Art Barnum, Chicago Tribune

Source:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/10/judge-to-animal-shelter-dont-move-cats.html#more

Daily Herald, 10/29/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Second Pet Rescue official faces charges
By Christy Gutowski | Daily Herald Staff

The controversy surrounding Pet Rescue in Bloomingdale continues to swirl as a second shelter official is accused of providing improper care to sick animals.

Owner Dale Armon, 74, of Berkeley, is facing 16 misdemeanor counts alleging animal cruelty and the violation of her duties for several cats and dogs, some of whom had to be euthanized. She is due in court Nov. 24.

Director Penny Horak, 69, of Winfield, was charged in August with similar misdemeanors.

The private no-kill shelter long has been the focus of civil state probes. Former workers, volunteers and clients picketed and lodged complaints urging its closing.

Pet Rescue lost its license Oct. 16 after state agriculture officials cited it for a fourth violation. The shelter's attorney, Rick Schoenfield, filed an emergency motion Tuesday to lift the suspension, arguing they were denied a chance to respond.

"All of the charges allege that there was a lack of necessary veterinarian care," Schoenfield said. "Pet Rescue has veterinarians that it uses and gets the animals care as needed. We expect to be completely vindicated."

But one woman said she was so upset by what she saw at the shelter that she fled with a 9-month-old white Pappillon puppy July 11 after her attempt to adopt it was denied. Dorothy Redinger, 46, of Carol Stream, was charged with theft.

"The intent was to save the animal," her attorney Paul DeLuca said. "She said she couldn't leave this dog there one more minute."

Armon was charged Friday. Meanwhile, an estimated 100 animals remain at her shelter. Schoenfield said they are receiving proper care, but prosecutor Amanda Meindl asked a judge to allow licensed professionals to make unannounced visits. Until that issue is decided, she'll seek Wednesday to bar the shelter from transferring the animals.

Daily Herald, 10/23/08

noreply@blogger.com (Operation Mia) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:11:00 +0000

Pet Rescue loses license, owner charged with animal cruelty
By Christy Gutowski | Daily Herald Staff

After years of complaints, state officials for the first time have suspended the license of a controversial Bloomingdale animal shelter as its director faces criminal charges.

Pet Rescue lost its license Oct. 16 after the Illinois Department of Agriculture cited it for a fourth violation. The shelter must wait one year before applying for a new license.

Authorities have not attempted to seize the roughly 100 animals they believe are kept at the shelter. But on Friday, prosecutors will ask DuPage Associate Judge Ronald Sutter to allow either a state official, police or animal control officer to make unannounced visits with a licensed veterinarian to ensure the animals have the necessary food, water, shelter and care.

Prosecutors also are seeking to bar Pet Rescue officials from moving any of the animals to their McHenry County farm in Hebron.

The judge may grant the requests as a condition of Director Penny I. Horak's bond on misdemeanor charges alleging cruel treatment to animals and violation of owner's duties. The criminal allegations stem from a sick cat named Mia, who had to be euthanized, as well as complaints involving more cats and dogs.

Horak, 69, of Winfield, faces a possible one-year jail term and $2,500 fine.

Pet Rescue, a nonprofit, no-kill shelter, has been the focus of several state investigations and civil court proceedings for years. Former volunteers and clients who adopted sick animals have picketed, filed complaints and even launched an Internet site.

Last summer, some volunteers worked undercover to secretly collect evidence. They also enlisted the help of Cherie Travis, the assistant director of the Center for Animal Law at DePaul University College of Law.

"It's frustrating that the case is moving slowly for the animals that have suffered for years," she said. "The number one concern of the former volunteers who brought countless allegations of abuse and neglect is that the animals receive immediate care."

The latest state agriculture violation alleges Pet Rescue lacked a pressurized water source or handwashing facility in its annex building. Earlier violations involved two adopted cats that had conjunctivitis, severe upper respiratory infections, pus coming out of their ears and a 104-degree temperature.

The shelter's operator, Dale Armon, has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing.