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| Judge(s): | Charles Johnson |
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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #16122 Rating: 3.3 out of 5
5 dogs, 2 birds removed due to neglect
Grayslake, IL (US)Incident Date: Monday, Nov 30, 2009
County: Lake
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Richard Kleinpass
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
The Chicago police officer charged with animal neglect appeared in Lake County court on January 28, 2010.
Richard Kleinpass, 49, was ordered to return for a pretrial hearing at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11, 2010, before Judge Charles Johnson in criminal misdemeanor court.
Kleinpass is facing a separate investigation by the Chicago Police Department's Internal Affairs Division. He is an officer in the Albany Park District and has been stripped of his police powers.
Kleinpass is charged with seven counts of animal cruelty after five dogs and two birds were removed from his house in Grayslake at 281 W. Route 120 on Nov. 30, 2009.
He agreed to forfeit the animals and pay $3,375 to reimburse Lake County for the cost of veterinary services, food and shelter since the animals were seized at his last court appearance in December.
Grayslake police reported that Kleinpass brought on the problems because of the poor condition of his house. Police said some of the dogs' teeth were rotted and that those animals are now on soft-food diets. Others were emaciated and suffering from skin diseases.
Kleinpass is facing a separate investigation by the Chicago Police Department's Internal Affairs Division. He is an officer in the Albany Park District and has been stripped of his police powers.
Case UpdatesThe Chicago cop accused of neglecting animals at his Grayslake home pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Friday.
Richard Kleinpass, 50, pleaded guilty to violation of owner's duties, a Class B misdemeanor.
Lake County Circuit Court Associate Judge George Strickland sentenced Kleinpass to one year of conditional discharge, ordered him to perform 50 hours of public service and required him to make a $250 donation to Orphans of the Storm, a nonprofit animal shelter based in Riverwoods. Strickland also ordered him to comply with a mental health evaluation.
In addition, a conviction of this will go on his record, said Assistant State's Attorney Don Tyer. If Kleinpass violates the law in any way while he is on conditional discharge, he could be remanded to custody, Tyer said.
Seven dogs and two birds were removed from Kleinpass' house at 281 W. Route 120 on Nov. 30, 2009.
"They (the animals) were living in horrible conditions," said Grayslake Police Officer Joe Manges at the time.
There were no utilities on in the residence and animals were living in their own feces and urine, Manges said. Some of the dogs' teeth were rotted and other animals were emaciated and suffering from skin diseases.
Kleinpass was ordered to reimburse Lake County for the cost of veterinary services, food and shelter since the animals were seized.
"It is my understanding that all the recovered animals have been adopted out," Manges said.
Kleinpass had said at a previous court appearance that he lived in that home since 2000 as a place to get away since he is required to live in Chicago, where is he is a police officer.
Animal neglect is a Class A misdemeanor punishable up to 364 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. The maximum penalty for the Class B misdemeanor is 80 days and a $500 fine, according to Tyer.
Kleinpass is facing a separate investigation by the Chicago Police Department's Internal Affairs Division. He was serving as a patrol officer in the Albany Park District, but has since been stripped of his police powers. | Source: suburbanchicago.com - May 22, 2010
Update posted on Jun 9, 2010 - 6:10PM |
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