Woman Charged After Dead Animals Found On West Suburban Farms
HAMPSHIRE, Ill. (STMW) -- A northwest suburban woman faces animal cruelty charges after several animals were found dead or mistreated on two Kane County farms, according to police.
Stacy Fiebelkorn, 34, of the 1000 block of Borden Drive in Elgin, was charged with one count of violation of owner's duties, and one count of cruelty to animals, both misdemeanors, according to the Kane County Sheriff's office.
Last week, Kane County Animal Control received a report of a dead horse at a farm on Beith Road near Maple Park, and when investigators went there, they found a dead pony and dead equine fetus, the statement said.
Officials learned Fiebelkorn might have more animals at a farm on Route 20 near Hampshire, so they went there next and found more mistreatment. Several dead animals, including a goat, donkey, two mini-horses and four chickens, were found, along with several unhealthy animals, police said.
A veterinarian determined several animals on the farm were sick, and conditions were not conducive to the keeping of livestock, the statement said.
The animals were being kept in facilities without enough shelter from the cold, and without adequate food and water, police said. Where animals had been provided water, it was frozen.
In all, more than 90 animals were discovered on the second farm, including the dead ones, police said. The owner of the Hampshire farm, who did not own the animals, was not charged.
Animal Control has impounded the remaining animals and is providing care for them, including fresh hay, food for the chickens and rabbits, and heaters for the animals' water bowls.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)