Several Dead Dogs Found in Urine, Feces Filled Home

JOLIET, IL — Six dead dogs, as well as six live dogs and a cat, were pulled from a Joliet home Thursday morning after police found deplorable and hoarder-like conditions.

Joliet Deputy Chief Ed Gregory said the home, located at 613 Third Avenue, had been red-tagged for demolition by the City of Joliet’s Neighborhood Services Division. Police assisted the division in an inspection of the house.

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“The inspector said the house would be vacant, but inside they could hear dogs,” Gregory said.

Officers ended up opening up the door with a sledgehammer. That’s when the smell hit them.

“When they opened the door, there was a strong, pungent odor emitting from the residence,” Gregory said. “Once they entered the residence they immediately saw animal feces all over the floor. They described the house as being in deplorable conditions as if a hoarder was living there.”

In the foyer, there was a stack of six dog cages. Cats were also found running around the first and second floor, police said.

In the basement, fifteen cages were found stacked on top of one another. Inside the cages were four dead dogs and three live dogs. Police said one of the dead dogs had no eyes, but it was unknown if that was from abuse or decomposition.

Police also found a dead kitten or some type of small animal decomposing on a shelf.

In their reports, police said the dogs had been lying in their own urine and feces and had sores. One dog had broken teeth. Others showed signs of illness, had rashes on their nose, bumpy skin and missing hair. Their coats were dirty and there were fleas and ticks everywhere, Gregory said.

The basement was in atrocious condition with an overwhelming stench.

Two rooms in the basement were used for breeding and whelping purposes. A whelping room is used for the actual birth of the puppies. Inside the whelping room, officers found one dead dog. In total, six dead and six live dogs were found.

In the back yard, four dog runs, used for training, were found. The garage had two abandoned vehicles with feces on top.

Gregory said the owner of the residence has been located and is a 62-year-old man. Police are not yet sure if he is responsible for the deaths of the dogs and the home’s stomach-churning conditions. However, according to court records, Humberto Rodriguez, the owner of the house, has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Humberto Rodriguez

Neighbors told police there’s usually a Hispanic male that comes to the residence at night for a few minutes and then leaves.

“We imagine he was trying to feed the dogs,” Gregory said.

Also found at the house was a pellet gun, a rusted rifle and a functioning shotgun.

The home itself had no running water and black debris all over the bathtub, police said, but running space heaters were found. In the main bedroom were clothes stacked knee and waist high around the bed. There were also boxes of bills addressed to the homeowner.

Police aren’t entirely sure if the home was being used as a dog-fighting ring, but Gregory said an officer suggested that as a possibility in a report.

The live dogs, four senior females and two senior males, and the cat were taken to Joliet Township Animal Control where director Sarah Gimbel said they’ve been bathed and will be okay. It will be at least two weeks before any animals may be put up for adoption.

“They’re all very friendly, with people and with other dogs,” Gimbel said.

Gimbel said the dogs were vaccinated when they arrived, but she doesn’t know if they’re current on rabies vaccinations. The cat has an upper respiratory infection, but is on medication.

Gimbel said all the dogs were pit bull mixes and the cat was a domestic shorthair.