UPDATE (4:04 p.m.) — Bond was set for a Princeville dog groomer at $7,500 after she appeared in court on charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
Stacy R. Mueller, 41, of the 200 block of West South Street, will next appear in court on June 8. As a condition of her bond, she is not allowed to possess or be in the presence of any animals, according to court records.
Aggravated cruelty to animals is a class 4 felony that carries a maximum prison term of three years in prison. Probation is also an option.
The single count alleges “she intentionally failed to provide adequate food, water and shelter to a canine thereby causing the death of the canine…”
According to Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos’ office, several other dogs, found in a shed located on the South Street property, were “malnourished and covered in feces and flies. There was no food or water inside the shed, and the temperature inside was 94-degrees.”
This story will be updated.
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PRINCEVILLE, Ill. (WMBD) — A woman was arrested in relation to an animal cruelty incident near the 200 block of South Street in Princeville Thursday.
According to a news release from Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins, 41-year-old Stacy R. Mueller was arrested on 12 counts of animal cruelty.
Peoria County deputies responded to the residence after a tip from the Peoria County Animal Protective Services (PCAPS). Deputies located 12 dogs locked in a 110-degree shed behind the residence.
One dog was deceased, and there was no food or water in the shed. More animals with signs of malnutrition were located in the residence. 21 animals in total were removed from the residence by PCAPS.
“These were horrible conditions that these dogs and cats were living in. No animal or human could survive in that type of environment for an extended amount of time” Watkins said. “I am thankful for PCAPS for acting on the information as fast as they did, and like I said before, if you abuse an animal, you are going to get charged with everything we can charge you with and you are going to jail.”
Deputies are looking for another individual related to this incident.
