Diane Eldrup Trial Underway

Today I went to court to support Sasha, Yanna, Lily and Gertie, the four survivors of , as well as the dozens of dogs and the birds that died at the hands of their caretaker. Photos and videos of the place where the animals lived showed moldy feces and urine throughout, untouched dog food bags and cans within feet of where dead dogs lay, clothes neatly hung in closets and dead dogs everywhere. It was dark, it was freezing and all the dogs died horrific deaths, most laying up against their locked cages. Two horrific scenes were two small dogs, dead in carriers, in a closet, in the dark, the cage doors facing the wall of the closet. The other was two dogs wrapped up in blankets in a cage with a mattress purposely laying on top of them.

Photos of all four dogs that survived that hell hole were shown when they were rescued. They were walking skeletons, hours from death. When Cindy Williams, Animal Warden for Lake County Animal Control was questioned on the stand she was asked, “what did you do for the dogs when you took them to Lake County Animal Control?” Four times all she said was, “we gave them food and water.  In ten days they almost doubled their weight.”

We were given the responsibility to be guardians of the four survivors. Sasha, a husky and German shepherd mix, weighed 17 pounds when she was rescued.  I fostered her for a couple of months prior to her adoption. When I saw the photos of Sasha, her bones jutting out, her spine exposed and curved painfully, her eyes nearly lifeless it took my breath away. The Sasha I know is all full of life and love.  She is a dog who has boundless energy and always, and I mean always, a smile on her face… how far she has come.

The prosecution is doing an amazing job as far as I can tell. Their communication was clear throughout and they showed respect for the judge and the jury. They were quick to object to points that were irrelevant or leading. Behind their actions it is obvious to be that they have a deep compassion for the animals that suffered and for upholding the law. Their determination in getting a conviction is obvious. The animals both alive and deceased are blessed to have these angels on Earth. I have great confidence that justice will prevail. But thoughts and prayers are still needed.  We cannot forget and we have to say in unison, “we will not tolerate this.”  I send my love out to all those souls that are no longer with us.

Court continues tomorrow.  Please, please, come to court and support the animals that died and survived.  This case can set precedence that to abuse or neglect animals won’t be tolerated anymore.  You can and do make a difference by coming to court.  Please make every effort to attend.

Court begins again at 9:00 a.m. Thursday Sept. 8 at the Waukegan Court House. 

Give your pets big hugs tonight and tell them you love them.

 Sandy Kamen Wisniewski