A Naperville woman has been arrested for allegedly neglecting her dog Olive to the point of near-starvation and dehydration.
Following an investigation launched when a concerned citizen reported a case of potential animal abuse last fall, the woman, 32, was charged with multiple felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty after turning herself in to police on Tuesday.
The concerned citizen met with Animal Control Officers in October 2023 and reported they had agreed to take care of Olive, a pit bull mix, while the owner, the suspect, was on a business trip. Olive was in an emaciated state, could barely walk, and had open sores on her body. She was immediately transported to an emergency veterinary hospital where she was treated for starvation and dehydration.
Subsequently, Naperville police executed a search warrant on the subject’s residence and observed evidence of alleged animal abuse.
The suspect is charged with three counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class 4 felony, and three counts of Violation of Owner’s Duties (Class B misdemeanor). She is also charged with one count of Endangering the Life or Health of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly committing aggravated animal cruelty to an animal that resided in the same residence as a minor.
The suspect is currently in custody at the DuPage County Jail. The dog made a full recovery and was released to a shelter and adopted.
