Woman Charged After Dozens Of Dogs Found In Home Near Glen Ellyn: Cops

GLEN ELLYN, IL — A woman faces multiple misdemeanor and felony charges after police say they found 33 live dogs, nine dead dogs, four dead chinchillas and one dead rabbit in her home in unincorporated Glen Ellyn.

One of the dogs died after emergency treatment, authorities say.

April Elliot, 60, has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty, 32 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and 99 misdemeanor counts of violation of owner's duties.

Police were called to the 2N200 block of Mildred Avenue on June 27 after someone reported seeing a skinny dog died up outside of the home all day. When police got to the scene, they say they found cages stacked on top of one another, each with four or five dogs in them, throughout the home's front room. Authorities say there were also several dogs lying on the ground.

After executing a search warrant later that day, police reported finding 33 live dogs, nine dead dogs, four dead chinchillas and one dead rabbit "living in inhumane conditions that caused suffering to the animals," a news release said.

A felony complaint filed against Elliot on July 11 alleges that she did not “provide veterinary treatment to a companion animal, an adult male Husky mix dog named Flounder, when Flounder was severely malnourished, that caused Flounder to suffer serious injury and subsequent death."

Elliot's remaining 32 live dogs were forfeited to DuPage Animal Services.

On June 30, a civil petition was filed by the state of Illinois to start the removal of debris and trash from the home at Elliot's expense.

“It is alleged that Mrs. Elliots’s disregard for the health and her failure to provide even the basic necessities such as food and water to dozens of animals in her care resulted in the death of fifteen animals, including ten dogs, and left thirty-two dogs severely malnourished,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "This is a heart-breaking case for all those involved. Sadly, following emergency surgery yesterday, Flounder succumbed to his condition."

Eliot was taken into custody Wednesday on a $75,000 warrant.