Peotone, IL—(ENEWSPF)— The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office continues to actively investigate an alleged "puppy mill" discovered earlier this month in Peotone Township.
According to Chuck Pelkie, spokesman for the State’s Attorney’s Office, no charges have been filed in connection with the case. “The original case started in Cook County and was later brought to Will County,” Pelkie said. Will County is now reviewing the reports.
Pat Barry, a spokesman for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, confirmed that 49 puppies were seized from Phoebee’s Puppies. According to Barry, the caged dogs were found in an unheated barn without adequate food or water. The owner of the facility, identified as Nikima Wright, 35, agreed to allow investigators on the property. The dogs were removed from the Peotone facility and taken to Peoples Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S) in Tinley Park, according to Barry. Efforts to reach P.A.W.S. to determine the status of the animals were unsuccessful.
According to local news reports, a tip about a possible dog fighting operation came into the South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights. A nine day investigation led authorities to a residence at 10047 W. Offner Road, Peotone. While they found no evidence of dog fighting, they did discover more than four dozen malnourished and dehydrated dogs ranging in age from 3 months to 4 years. The dogs were reportedly covered in feces and urine and in poor physical condition. Barry said that the alleged puppy mill was being operated without a proper license.
The raid on the Offner Road location was conducted by the Will County Sheriff’s Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit and officers from the State Animal Abuse Task Force.
