CHICAGO (CBS) — An animal rescue mission was underneath approach Wednesday at a home within the South Side’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood, after a lady dwelling there was arrested and charged with violating her animal proprietor duties.
Police mentioned simply earlier than midday Tuesday, 26 cats had been rescued by Chicago Animal Care and Control from a bungalow within the 7700 block of South Hermitage Avenue. At least three extra cats had been rescued from the home on Wednesday, and had been seen being taken out in cages.
A truck full of old furnishings – the home’s contents – sat exterior.
“No rescuers, no person in rescue, Animal Control – no person has been capable of get into the home and access to see these animals,” mentioned Janice Cohl.
“Our complete objective is to assist these animals – and we put them within the palms of a monster,” mentioned Janice Cohl.
Cohl was initially advised Ashley Burrell, 37, rescued cats too – and introduced them to the home on Hermitage Avenue, which she rented.
“She contacts me consistently asking for money, and I advised her, ‘I’m not providing you with any extra money,'” Cohl mentioned, “however that is after a whole lot of {dollars}.”
Cohl claimed she and others donated money, cat meals, and different objects to maintain Burrell’s mission afloat.
“Every time she got here to my home, it was $100 money, at all times,” Cohl mentioned.
Burrell had been working underneath the business identify “Nikki’s Ferals.”
“I began getting suspicious when she picked up a cat for me that was completely wholesome – and hastily, it disappeared,” mentioned Cohl, “and I advised her, ‘Where is the cat?’ And she mentioned, ‘Oh, it needed to be euthanized,’ out of the blue.”
Cohl can also be now skeptical that the {dollars} donated to Burrell had been being put towards take care of the animals.
“There could be vet information to point out that she was taking good care of the animals and spending the money, however there are quite a few individuals who have requested for vet information with receipts – or have provided to donate to the veterinarians straight, which is a protected strategy to do it,” mentioned Cohl, “and he or she was by no means capable of give us a contact quantity to try this.”
Cohl and others went on to file quite a few complaints in opposition to Burrell. On Tuesday, Chicago Police took Burrell into custody.
She stands charged with a misdemeanor rely of violating her animal proprietor duties.
“She must be confined to hell, like these animals had been in her home,” mentioned Cohl.
As of late Wednesday, the misdemeanor cost of violating animal proprietor duties was the one one Burrell was dealing with. It was not clear late Wednesday whether or not she would face further fees.
Chicago Animal Care and Control couldn’t touch upon specifics of the case, however did say it was an “ongoing legal matter.”
CBS 2 tried reaching Burrell for remark, however had not been capable of get in contact along with her as of late Wednesday.
