Acting on another tip, authorities returned Thursday to a rural Ottawa farmhouse — where they had removed 19 abandoned animals Monday — to uncover several dead animals.
La Salle County Animal Control Officer Gary Wind and Streator-based animal humane investigator Peggy Rizzo went to 3148 Route 23, about one mile north of Ottawa on the east side of the road, to search the house and grounds.
They found the following dead creatures inside a garbage-strewn shed immediately behind the house: Two Chihuahuas, an orange-colored cat, a rabbit, a ball python snake and a potbellied pig.
Inside the house, they found a live cat that apparently hid during their Monday visit.
Rizzo said starvation might have been the cause of death for some of the animals.
To try to determine that, a couple of the carcasses are to be sent to the Novak-Brainard Veterinary Clinic for necropsies — the animal version of autopsies. Pet Project, the animal shelter near Marseilles, is paying for the necropsies. The other animals were buried.
Rizzo said one of the dogs and the cat appeared to have been dead a substantial amount of time.
As far as the live animals found Monday and Thursday — 16 dogs and two cats — Rizzo said Pet Project is to take custody of them after they are done being treated by veterinarians.
Pet Project will pay for the animals to be spayed and neutered. Anyone wishing to adopt one of the animals should contact Pet Project at 815-795-9663 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 815-795-9663 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Rizzo added she has received phone calls from more than 30 people interested in adoption. Also, anyone wanting to donate money to help cover costs associated with the animals may donate to Pet Project.
The two live lizards removed Monday were given to a pet shop in La Salle.
Dawne Smith and Milinda Flesch, the two women who had been renting the farmhouse, moved out on or before March 22.
That day, Wind was tipped off that a number of animals were abandoned at the property, which led to investigation and Monday’s removal of the live animals. The case has been referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office for possible charges.
The landlord, who was not aware of the situation with the animals, filed court papers March 23 to evict Flesch and Smith.
He said they told him they were dog groomers. He believed one went to Montana and the other to Plainfield.
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