Lipinski Raises Concerns About ‘Substandard’ Conditions At AWL

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL -- Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) has penned a letter to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, questioning the “vast discrepancies” between the state agency’s inspection reports that gave troubled Animal Welfare League passing marks, when Chicago Ridge village officials uncovered more than 100 building, fire and safety code violations, as well as evidence of long-term rodent infestations. This is the second letter in the past six months that the congressman has written to the state agency raising serious concerns about the Chicago Ridge animal shelter’s alleged substandard conditions.

Animal Welfare League is a private, non-profit animal shelter that accepts strays and injured animals from over 100 municipalities throughout Cook County. The animal shelter is said to be under investigation by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. AWL has been criticized by animal advocates for its alleged filthy conditions, over drugging animals and inhumane euthanasia practices. Advocates for reform have called for the firing and/or resignations of AWL's board of directors. The long-time shelter director and board president Linda Estrada resigned in May.

Lipinski said he was spurred by media reports and firsthand accounts of “substandard” conditions at the shelter by constituents, many of them former AWL volunteers and employees. Citing “potentially serious breaches in standard medical practices in the treatment of animals,” the congressman enclosed recent documentation provided by Chicago Ridge village officials that include photos of rodent urine caked on pallets where pet food is stored in the basements. (SUBSCRIBE: Get Real-Time Alerts and a Daily Newsletter for Oak Lawn.)

“I strongly believe the Department must examine and respond to these findings and consider taking swift, appropriate action in the interest of the animals and general public that AWL serves,” Lipinski wrote.

Many of the Illinois Department of Agriculture inspection reports acquired through the freedom of information act appear to have been performed by the same inspector -- Jose Guillen. The animal shelter also passed inspections shortly after photos emerged reportedly taken inside AWL of suffering and dying animals.

Read Congressman Lipinski’s letter in its entirety.

U.S. Rep, Dan Lipinski to Illinois Dept. of Agriculture Sept. 6, 2018 by Lorraine Swanson on Scribd