Trial date set in animal shelter deaths case

A Deer Park woman accused in the deaths of animals at a shelter she ran will stand trial on several felony counts starting May 20, a Lake County judge said Tuesday.

Diane Eldrup, 48, was charged with animal torture and aggravated animal cruelty in December after officials found the corpses of 20 dogs, three birds and an opossum on the grounds of Muddy Paws Dog Rescue in the 2000 block of Rand Road. Evanston attorney John Curnyn agreed to represent Eldrup in the case, which could see her sent to prison for up to five years.

Eldrup, who is free on $25,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court March 14.