Man, woman charged after 54 dogs abandoned at Belvidere dog park in July

BOONE COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) — A man and woman from Huntley have been charged with animal cruelty after an investigation into who abandoned 54 dogs in a Belvidere dog park on July 15th, 2024.

According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, on the morning of Monday, July 15th, after a weekend of heavy rains and thunderstorms, the 54 Maltese mixed breed dogs were found abandoned at Hammertime Unleashed Dog Park in Belvidere.

All of the dogs were captured and turned over to rescue organizations .

Concepcion Rodriguez, 61, and Bruce Walla, 54, were identified as suspects.

The McHenry County Animal Control, Huntley Police, and Boone County Animal Serivces joined the investigation and a search warrant was executed at a home on Wheatlands Way on Thursday, July 25th.

Police said more animals were found at the scene and turned over to animal control for medical care, and the home was condemned.

On September 6th, 2024, Rodriguez and Walla were charged with 19 counts of Cruelty to Animals, and 19 counts of Violation of Owners Duties, by the Huntley Police Department.

Additionally, Rodriguez was charged with 54 counts of animal cruelty by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

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