KERRIE L. SWICK accused of causing her Labrador retriever to suffer from heat stroke, resulting in the dog being euthanized

- Illinois, USA -

The Joliet Police Department announced the arrest of 58-year-old KERRIE L. SWICK (pictured).

SWICK is accused of causing her 14-year-old Labrador retriever named Bear to suffer from heat stroke, the severity of which meant Bear sadly had to be euthanized.

Police said that on July 2, 2025, Joliet Township Animal Control alerted them to possible animal cruelty at a residence in the 500 block of Springwood Drive.

Animal Control told police that on that day, SWICK contacted the agency in the morning and requested assistance in moving Bear from the backyard to a vehicle so that he could be taken to a vet for an evaluation.

When an Animal Control representative responded to the residence, they found Bear in the backyard “without proper shelter, food, or water”, stated the press release by Joliet police. Animal Control learned that Bear had been outside since approximately 8:00 p.m. the prior evening.

Bear appeared to be in grave condition and was taken to a veterinary center in Plainfield where it was determined that he had an internal temperature of 110 degrees and suffered a heat stroke.

Police said that due to Bear’s poor medical condition, he was sadly euthanized.

The case was reviewed by the Will County State’s Attorney Office, and a felony count of aggravated animal cruelty against SWICK was thankfully approved!

SWICK was arrested on the afternoon of July 2, 2025, and at the time of writing, records show that she is being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

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In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

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