Champaign County Humane Society
1911 E. Main, Urbana, IL 61802 USA
For Immediate Release - November 18, 2005
Champaign County Humane Society Investigators Participate in Interagency Impound
Urbana, Ill – Animal Cruelty Investigators from the Champaign County Humane Society responded to a complaint of animal abuse on Thursday November 3rd. After receiving a complaint on November 2nd, regarding horses in poor condition on a farm in Bement, the humane society’s lead investigator, Julie Workman, initiated an investigation.
“Upon speaking to the complainant, it was discovered that they had made identical complaints to other agencies. Since they had received complaints as well, I contacted the Hooved Animal Humane Society to schedule a time when we could visit the property together.” Workman said. “It is always advantageous to involve other agencies in investigations. We all have different skills and abilities which, when combined, always make for a more effective process.”
Upon arriving at the location Workman noted violations of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act. Workman and an investigator for the Hooved Animal Humane Society left notices of violation at the location pertaining to one live horse, a deceased horse and one dog. In the end, the surviving horse was impounded by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and is residing in the care of the Hooved Animal Humane Society. The investigation is still active until all of the violations cited are resolved.
During the course of the investigation, the Champaign County Humane Society, Hooved Animal Humane Society, Piatt County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois Department of Agriculture, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Chelsea Angelo, the Urbana Animal Control Officer, all contributed to the investigation which has led to criminal charges being filed against the owner of the animals.
Charges, filed Thursday, include 2 violations of owner’s duties, 2 counts of cruel treatment and one count of aggravated cruelty under the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act.
Jason Smith, Executive Director of the Champaign County Humane Society said, “It is a true testament to how seriously we take animal cruelty in this area to have so many agencies collaborating and contributing to bring violators to justice.”
The Champaign County Humane Society’s animal cruelty investigators responded to 100 complaints in 2004 and have already responded to around 150 this year alone. “It is a daunting and expensive task to keep up with what averages out to a complaint every two days but our part time investigator and certified staff members have done an amazing job staying on top of complaints as they come in.” Smith said.
The Champaign County Humane Society was established in 1951 and is a 501 © 3 not for profit organization that receives no government funding and exists solely through donations.
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Jason Smith
Executive Director
Champaign County Humane Society
1911 E. Main St.
Urbana, IL 61802
217-344-7297
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