Arraignment in Deer Park dog abuse case delayed again
The arraignment of a Deer Park woman accused in the deaths of several animals at a shelter she owned was delayed for the second time Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.
Diane Eldrup, 48, has still not arranged for a lawyer to represent her against multiple counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and animal torture.
Chicago attorney Sheldon Sorosky, who appeared on Eldrup's behalf Tuesday and said he was unsure if he would take the case, told Circuit Judge James Booras on Wednesday he definitely would not.
Sorosky, who is defending former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in a second trial set to begin April 20 in federal court in Chicago, said his schedule will not allow him to take Eldrup's case.
Booras told Eldrup, who is free from custody after posting $25,000 for bond, to appear in court Jan. 24 to inform him of the status of her search for a lawyer.
She was arrested Dec. 17 when police went to the Muddy Paws Dog Rescue in the 2000 block of Rand Road and discovered several dead animals and tons of animal waste.
Officials later said there was a total of 20 dogs, three birds and an opossum on the property they say had died through Eldrup's neglect.