Man Gets 20 Days In Kennel Fire That Killed 29 Dogs

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A Woodridge man who was convicted of three counts of animal cruelty in connection with a fire that killed 29 dogs in West Chicago in 2019 was sentenced to 20 days in DuPage County Jail. The sentence was handed down to Garrett Mercado, 32, Tuesday by 18th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Robert Miller.

Authorities say Mercado had left D and D Kennel, 2N441 North County Farm Rd., for about five hours on Jan. 14, 2019, when a fire broke out. The fire was spotted by a deputy for the DuPage County Sheriff's Office just before 5:30 a.m.

A later investigation found that "numerous dogs" that were housed in the kennel showed evidence of lacerations, puncture wounds, abrasions, muscle wasting and dehydration, per a news release from DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Investigators reported finding the kennel runs unsanitary, seeing cages on top of one another, and discovering dogs housed in undersized cages. They also reported finding one dog tied to a bar inside a bathtub in a way that restricted its movement.

“On January 14, 2019, twenty-nine dogs lost their lives in a horrific fire,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “While the fire raged through the kennel however, the man responsible for the health and safety of those dogs was nowhere to be found. At Mr. Mercado’s trial we also learned that prior to the fire, those dogs, along with dozens more, were living in filthy, deplorable conditions with some dogs in cages too small and others tethered inappropriately. This heart-breaking case has certainly touched many people’s lives and it is my sincerest hope that those whose dogs perished in the fire while under the care of Mr. Mercado will keep the fond memories of their companions close to their heart."

Mercado was also convicted of six counts of violation of owner's duties at his Oct. 1 trial. In addition to serving 20 days in jail, Mercado must also serve two years of probation, and then four years of conditional discharge. During his conditional discharge, Mercado will only be permitted to own one dog, a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office said.

In the aftermath of the kennel fire, a GoFundMe for Mercado raised more than $91,000. In Oct. 2021, a GoFundMe representative confirmed that "all funds were withdrawn in accordance with [GoFundMe's] Terms of Service." The representative said the organizers of the fundraiser closed it two and a half years ago.

Patch reached out to the GoFundMe page's organizer for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.

Read more on Patch:

Man Convicted Of Animal Cruelty In Fire That Killed 29 Dogs

Kennel Owner Charged In Deadly Fire Caught With Dog: Report

Nearly 30 Dogs Die In West Chicago Kennel Fire