Bond reduced in Grayslake-area animal cruelty, weapons case

Bond for a Grayslake-area man accused of shooting a dog with one of the many weapons he illegally possessed was reduced to $250,000 Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Elvin Dooley, 57, was arrested last week and charged with shooting a black chow mix dog that had apparently been dropped off at the Save-A-Pet No Kill Adoption Center near his home in the 24000 block of Townline Road.

A search of Dooley's house turned up thousands of rounds of ammunition, and he later led police to 21 rifles and handguns he said he owned but had moved to a friend's house.

Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel said Dooley has at least one felony conviction, for a 1974 burglary in Alabama, but that earlier indications of a second burglary conviction from 1996 in West Virginia had not been verified.

He is charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and aggravated cruelty to animals. His bond was originally set at $400,000.

Assistant Public Defender Sharmilla Manek asked Associate Judge Christopher Stride to release Dooley on a signature bond.

Manek said Dooley is a longtime resident of the area who does not pose a danger to the community, especially in light of the fact that police have taken all his weapons.

Mermel said he believed the bond should be increased for "someone so out of control as to be firing a weapon in a semi-residential area," but did not cite a specific amount he was seeking.

Stride set the $250,000 figure and ordered Dooley to appear in court again Feb. 25.

He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the weapons charge and up to three years on the cruelty charge.