'Cruel And Sadistic': 6 Dogs Tortured & Killed, Dumped In Trash Bags In Will County

WILL COUNTY, IL — Will County authorities are turning to the public for help after six dogs were found tortured and killed, dumped in trash bags last month in unincorporated Crete, the Will County State's Attorney's Office said Monday.

The dogs' bodies were discovered on March 3 by Crete Township Highway Maintenance workers, near Norfolk Avenue and Kings Road in Crete Township.

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The dogs showed bite marks and signs of dogfighting, Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said, but appeared otherwise healthy. All ranged in age between 9 months and a year and a half.

"... Apparently, they outlived their usefulness," Glasgow said at a news conference Monday. "But anyone who would do this, to six living things, is an incredibly dangerous person."

Glasgow and other officials speaking at the conference would not disclose an exact cause of death for the dogs, only stating that they had not been humanely euthanized.

"The savage brutality from this case is something that I just, I'm hard-pressed to think of it," Glasgow said. "Obviously, I don't want to diminish crimes against people for one second, but this is just something out of a really bad movie."

Glasgow stressed research linking cruelty to animals to violence against humans.

"I want to stress the fact that the connection between being kind and compassionate to animals carries over into how we behave towards each other," Glasgow said. "Most mass murderers tortured animals when they were younger, before they worked their way up."

The bags containing the dogs were found in a wooded area near a rural subdivision, and the workers were not at first aware of the bags' contents.

"Thankfully, somebody looked inside, or they would have just gone in the garbage and we wouldn't even be standing here," Glasgow said. "That's how callous this act was."

Residents nearby are not believed to be linked to the dogs, officials said. The Will County State's Attorney's Office is partnering with Will County Crime Stoppers and First Secure Bank in an effort to identify the person or people responsible. A $5,000 reward is offered for information that leads to an arrest and charges.

“You can submit a tip without ever giving your name,” said David Silverman of Will County Crime Stoppers. “We offer multiple ways to report information, and you may be eligible for a reward. If you know something, say something—your tip could make all the difference. Call our hotline at 800-323-6734."

The reward is not contingent upon conviction—only an arrest and charges, stressed Jay Bergman of First Secure Bank.

"Our community deserves answers, and we are proud to stand alongside law enforcement in this effort," said Bergman in a release. "We are offering up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Doing the right thing strengthens our entire community."

Bergman on Monday again noted that the reward is offered to anyone who provides a tip that leads to an arrest and charges.

"... If you know something about this terrible crime, provide a tip. Call the Sheriff's Department or call Crime Stoppers," Bergman said. "And within several weeks, that person could be $5,000 richer. And if you go through Crime Stoppers, nobody's going to know who gave the tip.

"But more importantly, we'll get this sicko off the streets before he harms a person or an animal again."

The dogs' bodies had first been turned over to Will County Animal Protection Services, who then contacted the Will County Sheriff's Office. Will County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigators photographed the deceased dogs and sent all the evidence, though it was not preserved at the scene, to the lab to be tested for DNA.

The sheriff's office does not currently have a person of interest. No uncontaminated evidence and no video surveillance can be recovered from that area, which is heavily wooded.

"The Will County Sheriff's Office will not tolerate any type of animal abuse," Deputy Chief Jeremy Zdzinicki said. "This was a gruesome and horrifying discovery, and we won't tolerate it. They didn't deserve to die in this way."

Will County Animal Protection Services Administrator Anna Payton said they rely on the public's help in reporting instances of animal cruelty and abuse.

"These six pit bull-type dogs were brutalized, killed, and then disposed of like garbage," Payton said Monday. "Research shows that people that engage in this level of animal cruelty often involve with high-level illegal activities, including violence against people. Animals are voiceless, and we rely on people in the community to be their advocate.

"If you see an animal in an unsafe situation or hear an animal in distress, please call Animal Protection Services or your local law enforcement. We cannot keep people or animals safe in our community without your help. These dogs deserved better.Our community deserves better. Together, we can have something good come out of this horrific event. If you see something, say something. Every report matters."

Officials could not offer specifics on the prevalence of dogfighting in the area, noting a lack of available information and reporting by the public.

"People that are involved with that kind of activity are often involved with other highly illegal activities, so it's not forthcoming," Payton said. "It's a hidden, secretive type activity and event, so it's not generally known to the public as far as when those activities are occurring, and that's why it can be very challenging for law enforcement and ourselves without that information from the public."

"This is not just an animal cruelty case—this is a public safety issue," said Glasgow.

"The level of violence in this case is deeply disturbing, and research has consistently shown a strong link between individuals who harm animals and those who go on to commit violence against people. There is zero tolerance for this kind of cruelty in Will County—and we will not stop until there is justice."

The Will County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation remains active with officers pursuing every available lead.

“We are investigating this case and following up on all information,” said Zdzinicki. “We need the public’s help. If you saw anything unusual, if you noticed suspicious activity, or if you have any information at all, we urge you to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to submit an anonymous tip to Will County Crime Stoppers via hotline at 800-323-6734 or via their website.

Tips can also be provided to the Will County Sheriff's Office Investigations Unit at 815-727-8574, or contact Det. Lane at jlane@willcosheriff.org.