Animal Services received an anonymous tip that a Lake County family was illegally breeding wolves. When officials arrived, they discovered more than 90 dogs and cats living in unhealthy conditions, many of them without water.
Some of the animals were in such serious condition that they could not be saved.
The Fish, Wildlife and Gaming Commission received the tip. When they arrived, they discovered animal crates and cages stacked one on top of another, filled with cats suffering from neglect.
Animal Control removed 69 cats, and one cat was already dead.
"They were filthy. The cats had filthy litter boxes. The cat carriers were filthy. The food and water supply was very low. It was just deplorable," said Sgt. John Herrell, of the Lake County Sheriff's Department.
All of the animals looked as if they were unhealthy and not properly taken care of, officers said.
They also found 23 dogs and a wolf. Police say the family was breeding the wolf with the dogs and selling the puppies for a profit. Hybrid wolves are known to be vicious but beautiful.
"These subjects were breeding wolves with dogs, regular dogs, and they were selling them at the flea market for approximately $300 to $500," Herrell said.
Investigators said Catherine Collins had a booth at Renninger's Flea Market, where she sold the hybrid wolf puppies and many of the cats.
"We've received information ... that some of the animals that they sold were sick upon purchase and died a short time while after this, so we're trying to get the word out," Herrell said.
Animal Control removed all the animals from the property, and on Wednesday, 25 of the cats had to be euthanized because of their ailing conditions.
It is illegal to own a hybrid wolf in Lake County, although you can own a wolf if you have a special license.
The Collins are facing several misdemeanor charges. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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