When the former residents of a foreclosed home in the Chicago area abandoned the house, they also abandoned their dog. A German shepherd was found in a cage in a filthy, sweltering garage last month by Cook Co sheriff’s deputies. Found and left:
“The eviction officers who locked up the house left her in the garage without food or water,” neighbor Cynthia Villanueva told the Chicago Tribune. “How could anyone that was locking down a house for an eviction leave without taking the dog out?
“You could hear her barking continually. … I just don’t understand how this happened.”
How it happened takes a little sorting. The sheriff’s department says it called Cook Co AC to alert them that the dog needed to be picked up. Cook Co AC says no such call was ever received – they even double checked their call log to be totally super sure that the police were pants on fire. Then the sheriff’s department got all evidence-y:
But the sheriff’s department released a tape of a July 13 call in which a woman is clearly heard saying, “Cook County Animal Control, may I help you?” A sheriff’s officer then says, “Cook County Sheriff’s Police calling” and that there’s “a dog to picked up from an eviction” and giving the address in Worth.
“It’s a German shepherd in the garage,” the officer says, giving the name and phone number of the receiver, the person representing the bank, who would be waiting for animal control at the garage.
Animal control apparently never sent anyone to the house.
Oops. Also: busted. But don’t fret – Cook Co AC is investigating itself in the matter.
Asked if animal control dropped the ball, [a spokesman for the county board who had previously denied the existence of the phone call] said, “I respect the question, but I can’t comment on something that’s under investigation.”
Under investigation by the people who, at best, are incompetent to the point of being dangerous and at worst, intentionally left an animal to suffer, covered it up, got caught and now need time to make up some other shit as an excuse. Yeah I wouldn’t want to comment on that either.
The sheriff’s department spokesman says:
“From what I understand, we did everything correctly.”
Well gee, everything’s correct and questions are respected. It’s nice.
The dog survived all the correctness and respect and is now recovering at an area shelter, thanks to the neighbor who called the police and insisted the dog be helped. Oh Irresponsible Public, I wish I knew how to quit you.
(Thanks Clarice for the links.)
From those of us who spend pur time rescuing dogs, idiots of this ilk should lose their jobs if not thrown in jail.
Ignorance of this magnitude can not be ignored!
What does it take to get Cook County and Chicago residents angry enough to stand up and say NO MORE!!!! CACC employee leaves a dog in a van for 5 days. NOW Cook County Animal Control LIES about receiving a call about an abandoned dog. Stand up and be counted! Attend meetings, contact the mayor, your aldermen, county commissioners and the county commissioner President. Each and every one of you has a VOICE. Do something!
that’s why it’s called “Crook County”. the system is totally bunged up. I agree, get those angry phone calls, emails, and meetings a’rollin’. Woof!