Danville woman pleads guilty to animal neglect charges

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A Danville woman will spend the next year on court supervision after she pleaded guilty to animal neglect charges.

Crystal Calbro, 44, was facing almost two dozen misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and neglecting her duties as an animal owner. On Oct. 4, she pleaded guilty and was sentenced to court supervision.

Unlike probation, court supervision does not result from a conviction and charges can be expunged from one’s record if the term is successfully completed.

Prosecutors said disturbing observations were made in March 2023 relating to the health of animals under Calbro’s care, which led to the Vermilion County Department of Animal Regulation stepping in. They seized eight horses, two rabbits and one donkey from Calbro’s property that month.

The animals were kept in cramped quarters without access to adequate food or clean water, prosecutors added. They were all underweight and showing various signs of emotional and physical neglect, deprivation and lack of care.

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case based on a referral from the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“The living conditions of the animals under the defendant’s care were truly abhorrent. Those who neglect or abuse animals should be held accountable,” said Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “Due to agencies collaborating at the state and local levels, these animals are now protected, and the individual who showed such disregard for their care and state law has been held accountable.”

In addition to the court supervision, Calbro has to pay a $2,200 fine and restitution of $44,718, paid to the Vermilion County Department of Animal Regulation. She is prohibited from owning horses, rabbits and donkeys and is required to undergo a psychological evaluation.

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