230 malnourished, dehydrated pets seized from home

ROCHELLE -- Authorities seized more than 230 dogs, cats and birds over the weekend from a rural home in northwestern Illinois, and have charged their owner with animal cruelty.

Some animals were kept in cars, and many were dehydrated and malnourished; several carcasses were also found around the property of the ranch-style house, animal welfare officials said.

"From the animals we've seen, they appear to have been given minimal amount of care," said Regina Harris of the TAILS Human Society. "Many appear to have been forgotten."

Their owner, 65-year-old Barbara C. Munroe of Rochelle, was in the Lee County jail on Sunday after being charged Friday with several misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and failure of owner's duty. She was being held on $35,000 bond.

Animal Control official Jack Nicklaus said he believes Munroe meant to care for the animals.

"I think she had good intentions, but it just got out of control," he said.

Many of the dogs are purebreds, including bloodhounds, huskies and basset hounds, said Lee County Assistant State's Attorney Andrew Bollman.

"There is easily about $100,000 in animals here," he said.

The animals, seized on Saturday, have been taken to a temporary shelter run by the TAILS Humane Society in DeKalb. Authorities searched the home Thursday after Munroe failed to bring 35 of her dogs in for a rabies vaccination.

Munroe was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.