COOK COUNTY, IL – A Sauk Village man has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and violation of owner’s duties after three emaciated horses were found on his property, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
On December 8, the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Animal Crimes Unit was notified by Cook County Animal Control about the poor condition of three horses who were found in a barn on the property of the offender, identified as 63-year-old William La Rue of the 500 block of South 219th Street in Sauk Village.
During their investigation, police found that the underweight horses had no food, and their source of water was frozen. La Rue claimed ownership of the horses and told police he no longer wanted them.
Custody of the horses was given to Cook County Animal Control where they were then transported to Forest View Farms in Tinley Park.
On Thursday, La Rue turned himself in to police custody and was charged with three counts of animal cruelty – a Class A Misdemeanor, and three counts of violation of owner’s duties – a Class B Misdemeanor. He is scheduled to appear for an initial hearing on January 24 at the Markham Courthouse.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.
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