- Illinois, USA -
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced in a news release that on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, two felony animal cruelty charges were filed against 60-years-old APRIL MICHELLE ELLIOTT (pictured).
According to the release, the charges are the result of a continuing investigation into the level of care ELLIOTT provided for dozens of animals at her property in the 2N200 block of Mildred Avenue in Glen Ellyn.
On June 27, 2023, DuPage County Animal Services responded to ELLIOTT’s property about the welfare of a dog who was left outside all day on a tether and appeared to be very skinny.
At the location, officers found the dog tethered outside, as well as many large dogs. Some of them were lying on the ground and others were being kept in cages stacked on top of each other. Officers reported there were “four to five dogs in each cage.”
The same day, as ELLIOTT did not allow officers to enter her home, a search warrant was obtained and executed.
The search led to the discovery of thirty-three (33) live dogs, nine (9) deceased dogs, four (4) deceased chinchillas and one (1) deceased rabbit. All the Voiceless Victims were living in inhumane conditions.
Daily Herald reports that “Veterinarians who examined the live dogs gave many of them a rating of 0.5 on a 5-point scale for body weight.” According to the news agency, an officer said that vets found it problematic to administer vaccinations and inject identification microchips because of a lack of muscle on the furbabies. One of the dogs was too weak to walk and likely would have died that night, the officer said.
The University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is conducting necropsies on the deceased furvictims.
The news release explained that according to the felony complaint filed against ELLIOTT on Tuesday, from approximately June 15, 2023, through to July 11, 2023, ELLIOTT failed to “provide veterinary treatment to a companion animal, an adult male Husky mix dog named Flounder, when Flounder was severely malnourished, that caused Flounder to suffer serious injury and subsequent death.”
As part of the civil proceedings, the State had filed a petition seeking forfeiture of the remaining dogs. On the morning of Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Judge Paul Marchese ordered ELLIOTT’s rights to the thirty-two (32) dogs to be forfeited. These furvictims are now in the care of DuPage Animal Services and once they have fully recovered, they will be available for adoption.
As explained in the release, in addition to the new two felony charges, ELLIOTT, is also facing misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and violation of owner’s duties that were filed on June 29, 2023, by DuPage Animal Services. The agency filed against ELLIOTT thirty-three (33) charges of cruelty to animals and ninety-nine (99) counts of violation of owner’s duties.
The same day, Judge Joshua Dieden issued a $50,000 arrest warrant for ELLIOTT. She then turned herself in to the authorities on July 7, 2023, posted the necessary 10%, and was released from custody.
On the new felony charges, Judge David Schwartz issued a $75,000 arrest warrant for ELLIOTT. She appeared in court on July 12, 2023, on the misdemeanor case and was taken into custody on the warrant. ELLIOTT now lives in the 3400 block of Deep Wood Drive in Crystal Lake.
On July 12, 2023, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement: “It is alleged that Mrs. Elliott’s disregard for the health and her failure to provide even the basic necessities such as food and water to dozens of animals in her care resulted in the death of fifteen animals, including ten dogs, and left thirty-two dogs severely malnourished. This is a heart-breaking case for all those involved. Sadly, following emergency surgery yesterday, Flounder succumbed to his condition. I would like to thank DuPage County Animal Services, particularly Operations Manager Laura Flamion for their unwavering, compassionate commitment to the health and well-being of these dogs.”
ELLIOTT’s case will be in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.
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Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
ELLIOTT’s mugshot shared from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
Additional Sources:
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