Neglected animals found in downstate van

SWANSEA -- A woman who was once charged with hoarding 127 animals in Granite City has been taken into custody again for keeping a van full of poorly fed, filthy cats and one small dog.

Cheryl Dashke was arrested Sunday in Swansea after an anonymous tip about more than 25 animals living in the van with her.

Swansea Police Officer Ron Thompson says authorities took the 59-year-old woman into custody after learning there was an outstanding warrant against her in Madison County.

Belleville Humane Society President Susan Skinner says the cats were in pet carriers without litter boxes. Most of them are extremely thin, and many are missing hair.

Dashke was arrested in March 2000, when Madison County sheriff's deputies found 127 dogs and cats living in filth in Dashke's home in a mobile home park.