The Will County Animal Control Department is seeking the public’s assistance in providing information that could lead to identifying suspects of an animal abuse case, including information about the owner or possible perpetrators. The dog was found wandering on a local farm in unincorporated Washington Township, near the Village of Beecher, with clear signs of abuse and neglect, including paintball spots from being used as target practice.
“Animal abuse is not something that should be tolerated,” said Will County Animal Control Administrator Anna Payton. “This poor dog has faced several hardships, and we’re asking anyone with information about her owners or the perpetrators of this abuse to step forward.”
A Will County Animal Control Officer (ACO) responded to a resident’s call on September 27 regarding a trapped dog on their property. The ACO found the dog was very scared, had infections in both ears, and was clearly shot multiple times on both sides of her body with purple paint from a paintball gun. She is underweight and appears to have had multiple litters of puppies. The ACO was able to calm her down and remove her from the trap.
“She is recovering nicely and receiving the care she needs at our shelter,” said Administrator Payton. “Staff is showing her lots of love and giving her extra special treats. She is extremely affectionate and is showing love to everyone here. We’ve named her Hermoine, after the Harry Potter character, because she is in need of a little magic in her life.”
Hermoine will continue to receive care from animal control staff before a shelter is identified for her or if her owner steps forward. Any animal abuse suspects will be referred to local law enforcement for investigation.
“Any information the public can provide us at this time is critical in finding the people responsible,” said County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “Thank you to our amazing Animal Control Officers for their hard work to save animals in our county and help protect innocent creatures from these abusive situations.”
Anyone with information on the owner of the dog or information on who the perpetrators are that used Hermoine as target practice are urged to immediately call Will County Animal Control at 815-462-5633. Please DO NOT share tips or other information on Facebook or social media, but please DO give our staff a call immediately with any information that could help in finding the suspects.
It never seems to amaze me the intelligence of people that would do this to a poor in animal. ABSOLUTELY no animal deserves this treatment by ANYBODY. I do hope the find the person or persons responsible for this. Hope they punish them to the full extent of the law. WE mankind are responsible for taking care of the animals large and small what ever they may be to provide them with food, shelter and a loving home. I just wonder if the person or person involved would like that kind of treatment they did to this poor innocent animal of our world.
I don’t understand how anyone could be so cruel. I feel very badly for this poor dog. I hope that they find the people who abused her and throw the book at them.