22 dogs neglected Pinckneyville, IL (US) Date: Jan 25, 2005 County: Perry Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Jimmie L. Miller

Case ID: 3788 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: horse, dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in IL (US) « Back to Search Results Login to Watch this Case

Jimmie L. Miller, 48, of Todds Mill Road, turned himself in about 7 p.m. Friday at the Perry County Sheriff's Department, Sheriff Keith Kellerman said. Miller is expected to make his first court appearance Feb 8 in Perry County Circuit Court.

Initially charged with a misdemeanor count of cruel treatment to animals, Miller is also now charged with two felonies -- unlawful possession of cannabis and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon.

Miller's troubles began when Washington County authorities received a call Jan. 25 reporting animal cruelty at the Miller property. The call was channeled to Perry County since the address was actually about 2.5 miles inside the Perry County line.

Perry's animal control officer, Todd Basler, was called and quickly responded to discover a scene he described as "really bad." Basler said he counted 22 dogs showing signs of malnourishment and other problems. Some were running free while others were caged or chained.

Many of the dogs most commonly referred to as hunting dogs were older and some were in such bad shape they could barely stand. A somewhat malnourished horse also was found, Basler said.

After obtaining the proper warrants, authorities returned to Miller's mobile home the following day and found Miller and about 10 dogs were missing. They'd been looking for him ever since.

About a dozen dogs were rescued from the property and the Perry County Humane Society has been providing food and medical care for them since. In searching the property, authorities found drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain sight, so they obtained additional search warrants enabling them to confiscate those items.

The search turned up 30-500 grams of cannabis and a loaded rifle. Authorities say Miller has a previous felony drug conviction and thus is prohibited from possessing a weapon.

The sight of the skinny, weak dogs reminded many Perry officials of a scene played out just a few weeks earlier in rural Du Quoin, where about 40 ill and malnourished dogs were rescued from a home filled with animal feces and vomit.

Those animals have found new homes and authorities said it's likely that Miller's dogs also soon will be available for adoption. Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Foutch said Miller has given verbal consent to forfeiture of all but four of the dogs seized from his property and he said he has good homes lined up for those dogs with friends. The forfeiture won't be final until he signs appropriate paperwork.

Many are mixed breeds and the rescued animals include several coon hounds, beagles and terriers. Several were found scarred or suffering from lacerations and there was even an exposed bone in the tail of a white, black and brown coon hound. Updates regarding the dogs and their adoption status can be found on the humane society's Web site at www.perrycountyhumanesociety.com.

Miller is being held in the Perry County Jail in lieu of $3,500 bond. Foutch said if Miller is convicted of the two new felony charges, she believes he's eligible for extended term sentencing, meaning a possible prison sentence of two to 10 years on each count.

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References

The Southern Illinoisan - Feb 8, 2005

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