More dead dogs found at Deer Park shelter

A Lake County prosecutor told a judge Monday that the corpses of 15 more dead dogs had been found on the grounds of a former Deer Park animal shelter.

Diane Eldrup, 48, the operator of the Muddy Paws Dog Rescue on the 2000 block of Rand Road, is charged with multiple counts of animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals, accused of allowing dogs and other animals starve to death and scheduled to go on trial May 20.

Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel told Circuit Judge James Booras that a total of 35 dogs, three birds and an opossum are believed to have died while in Eldrup's care.

No new charges will be filed against Eldrup in connection with the discovery of the most recent 15 carcasses, Mermel said, but Booras will be asked to consider them at a sentencing hearing should Eldrup be convicted in the case. Eldrup has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against her.