JOLIET — The Joliet Police Department has arrested two people in connection with allegations of animal cruelty involving two dogs; one of the dogs needed to be euthenized at the Joliet Township Animal Control facility.
Police said that 35-year-old Larry Parrish out of Lockport was given his notice to appear in court on three counts of cruelty to animals and three counts of owner’s duties.
As for Lakechia Mcelrath, the 30-year-old Joliet woman was arrested and released on a Notice to Appear for a Will County Warrant on three counts of owner’s duties.
Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the events leading to their arrests unfolded back on January 3.
According to English:
At 2:07 p.m., the officers responded to Karen’s Pet Grooming at 309 Republic Avenue regarding an animal cruelty report involving two severely neglected dogs.
The officers learned that both dogs, a male Pitbull mix and a female Pitbull mix were dropped off at the grooming business by Parrish and staff members recognized the dogs’ poor condition upon intake and quickly contacted authorities after recognizing the severity of their neglect.
The male dog, “Junior,” appeared to be lethargic and unresponsive, while the female dog “Chanel” exhibited signs of malnourishment, severe irritation on her paw pads, overgrown nails, and urine-soaked fur.
Representatives from Joliet Township Animal Control responded to the business and took both dogs to an emergency veterinarian. It was later learned that the male dog had to be medically euthanized due to its dire condition. Members of the Joliet Police Department Animal Crimes Team immediately initiated an investigation into this incident. It was learned that the dogs were kept in an outdoor shed in the 700 block of Richmond Street with limited heat and no microchipping or up-to-date vaccinations.
Another owner of the dogs was identified as Mcelrath. Parrish indicated that he noticed signs of illness in the male dog but delayed veterinary care.
Following an extensive investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained for Parrish for the above listed charges on January 7. A warrant was obtained for Mcelrath on January 16.
Parrish was placed into custody at the Joliet Township Animal Control on January 9, at 1:15 p.m. Mcelrath was placed into custody at the Joliet Police Department in the early afternoon of January 20.
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