Union County Animal Control officers were busy in an all day rescue mission removing starving animals from a Dongola farm.
Union County States Attorney Allen James said animal control has already removed about 20 starving horses, approximately 40 cats in various stages of ill health and several dogs from the property.
Investigators expected to find at least 20 puppies or dog in the basement of the house, but those animals were gone when they arrived. Of the dogs that have been recovered, at least one is not expected to survive.
James said the house is filled with animal feces, even on the chairs in the dining room.
The farm, located at 1970 Mount Zion Road, is the residence of Debra White or Debra White-Elsner and Mike Elsner. Charges are pending. Case UpdatesIf there were slaughterhouse buyers among the 200 or so people the auction of seized horses in Union County, they didn't have a chance to take out their wallets. Seventeen of the 19 surviving horses taken from a Dongola farm in December were purchased by representatives from the animal welfare groups PAWS ("Pets Are Worth Saving," Inc.). Christy Anderson, a licensed equine investigator with Wright Way Rescue in Crab Orchard, said the auction was "a different kind of horse sale," and she and other animal welfare workers didn't want to see it treated as a general horse auction. Anderson was present when the horses were seized, and she was one of the volunteers who worked with the horses during their stay at John Garner's farm before the auction. For her, the sale was personal.
"The point of saving these horses in the first place is to make sure they get good homes," she said. "Just because there may not be any killer buyers here today - and there might have been before all the publicity - that doesn't mean someone won't buy these horses and then sell them later at a low-end auction where they probably will end up with the killers." Anderson, the owner of two horses, explained that horses at general auctions are often on the start of a downhill spiral that can end at the slaughterhouse. At a horse auction, she said, buyers are buying on the chance that a horse will work out for them. They buy without knowing the horse's history, its temperament or much about its level of training. In most cases, the horse goes to its new home almost on probation. If, after a few weeks, the buyer realizes the horse isn't as expected - too spirited, too fast, too slow, too whatever - the horse gets sold again, often at another auction. There were some grumbles in the crowd as horse after horse went to PAWS. But Anderson said she realized that PAWS wasn't the only kind-hearted buyer at the sale. "There are a lot of people here who don't understand why we're doing this," she said. "But it's just really important that the horses get good homes."
Deanna St. Germain of Anna bought one of the two horses not purchased by PAWS. "I had a horse when I was a kid," she said. "I bought the farm I have with the idea of getting a horse. I wanted to be sure these horses got good homes, and I wanted to give one of them a home with me."
Alison Peacock of Goreville said she wasn't looking to buy another horse - she already has several. She was at the auction partly out of curiosity and partly as a safe-guard to make sure the horses did get adopted by people who intend to keep them. "I think most of the people here feel the horses will get good homes," she said. "I think if anybody knew of someone down here who was going to sell for slaughter, they wouldn't be here very long. If they are here, I hope they don't take out their wallets."
Gerald Cain of Jonesboro said he had mixed feelings about the PAWS' near-monopoly on horse buying. "I think most of them went for more than they are worth," he said. "I'm glad they are going to good homes. Some of them look like pretty good horses." He acknowledged that selling horses is part of buying horses for some horse owners. "I like horses," he said. "I buy a few and I sell a few. This was a tough situation. At least the county doesn't have to pay for it anymore."
Cathy Sheeley, PAWS board president, was a little overwhelmed immediately after the auction. The goal had been to buy every horse, or almost every horse, but accomplishing it was a breath-taking venture. It's not every day a person goes from owning zero horses to owning 17. Sheeley said she knew some people in the crowd were disappointed they didn't get a chance to adopt a horse right at the auction. She said the PAWS board will consider giving some of those people a chance to adopt before the horses are sent to the Hooved Animal Humane Society in Woodstock. "We had to work fast," she said. "It's been a difficult few days. We may re-think some of this. We know there were some wonderful people here, and we don't want to shut everybody out."
Southern Illinois University Carbondale President and local philanthropist Glenn Poshard was present at the auction. He made what was termed a "generous donation" for PAWS to use for horse buying. "It's no more right to be cruel to animals than it is to be cruel to children," he said. Poshard is the founder of the Glenn Poshard Children's Foundation. Union County State's Attorney Allen James addressed the crowd before the sale, pointing out that prospective buyers are really prospective adopters who must sign a contract pledging not to sell the horse for slaughter. However, he said, follow-up and enforcement of the contract would be difficult. "We do not have the capability to chase after all these horses wherever they go," he said. That, Sheeley said, was the point of the PAWS intervention. | Source: The Southern - March 26, 2006
Update posted on Mar 29, 2006 - 5:37PM |
Pets Are Worth Saving, Inc. is asking for cash donations by March 25, 2006 to help buy as many horses as possible from Union County's planned auction in the Anna City Park.
The 19 horses, a subject of controversy since the neglected animals were removed from a Dongola farm in December 2005, have generated a great deal of discussion locally this week. The argument over whether the county should continue with an auction instead of selling the horses to the Hooved Animal Humane Society for the exact amount of money they've lost in caring for the animals, is so far partially responsible for the resignation of county animal control supervisor Donna Hawk and the impending closure of the county animal shelter March 30, 2006.
Now PAWS, in a statement released, said the county "has decided not to do the right thing," so they will attempt to purchase as many horses from the auction, planned for 1 p.m., and turn them over to HAHS. PAWS President Cathy Sheeley said while she knows many people heading to the auction intend to treat the horses well, the group is concerned some may try to resell the animals or directly take them to slaughterhouses for profit. "These animals have been through quite enough," Sheeley said. "I think the emphasis for us is trying to keep them safe, knowing full well there will be some wonderful people there looking to buy."
Sheeley said the PAWS facility in Anna isn't equipped to handle horses, but HAHS has offered to transport any animal PAWS purchases at no price to the group. PAWS asks that anyone wishing to make a donation to the cause must have money to the organization by 1 p.m. March 25, 2006. Sheeley said donations can also be made to Hawk - who sits on the PAWS, Inc. board - and Union County Animal Control Administrator Nancy Kucera at Meller/James Veterinary Clinic in Anna.
PAWS, Inc. can be contacted at (618) 833-3647 or evenings at (618) 833-7532. | Source: The Southern Illinoisian - March 24, 2006
Update posted on Mar 24, 2006 - 10:59PM |
Union County's animal-control chief is resigning over the southern Illinois county's decision to move ahead with a planned auction this weekend of 19 horses seized in a December 2005 raid.
Donna Hawk announced her departure last night during a discussion about the sale of the horses taken from Mike and Debra Elsner's farm in rural Dongola. Animal-welfare activists have argued the auction would lead some of the horses to slaughterhouses. Hawk calls that action morally reprehensible, considering the help and donations offered to the county while the court case against the Elsners is decided. The Elsners face animal torture and cruelty charges.
The county board decided to go ahead with the auction because it already had been advertised. | Source: WQAD News - March 2006
Update posted on Mar 23, 2006 - 6:11PM |
The state has taken over prosecution of a southern Illinois couple accused of animal torture after more than 60 animals, many of them starving, were seized from their Union County farm.
Union County prosecutor Allen James asked the Illinois attorney general to take the case, citing a "personality conflict" between him and the county's animal-control supervisor.
Mike and Debra Elsner of rural Dongola (dahn-GOH'-luh) each face felony animal torture and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
They've pleaded innocent and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing next Tuesday.
The charges followed a December 22nd raid in which searchers reportedly seized 20 horses, a dozen dogs and 28 cats, as well as two doves, two cockatiels, a caged squirrel and chickens and hens. | Source: WQAD - Jan 31, 2006
Update posted on Jan 31, 2006 - 8:21PM |
Union County Animal Control continued to hold 61 of the 65 animals taken from a Dongola farm last month, and the state's attorney said it's possible felony charges against the owners could be reduced to misdemeanors.
Michael and Debra Elsner stand accused of animal cruelty and animal torture, six counts total, with three of them originally labeled as felonies. The charges stem from a raid authorities made on the Elsners' farm along Mount Zion Road in December 2005. Officials reported finding dozens of neglected and dying animals on the premises, including dogs, cats and horses. County animal control officer Donna Hawk said her office has spent between $2,000 and $3,000 in veterinary service to treat the animals in the past month. The influx of animals has filled the county kennel to capacity. "We're not taking in cats anymore, because we have 50 cats right now," Hawk said.
Hawk noted she is upset the state's attorney seems to be backing down on the severity of the charges against the owners, because the evidence of mistreatment qualifies it for felony status. If the punishment is too light, she is concerned the owners may seek to reclaim the animals. "That's in the state's attorney's hands, which scares me," Hawk said.
State's Attorney Allen James said Hawk is jumping to conclusions. He said his primary concern in this case is the protection of the animals. James said he is waiting for information from Hawk's office and is in discussion with the Elsners' attorney about a possible out-of-court resolution. For the moment nothing is certain, he said. The felony counts in question each involve only one animal, James said. The misdemeanor charges encompass all animals found on the property. "We need a better list of who the animals are; I don't even have a complete list of what is out there yet," James said. "I have to talk to (Hawk) to make sure we have the right amount of proof for the felony charges to proceed."
Four of the animals being housed by the county have been euthanized, Hawk said. The rest are being cared for but aren't technically wards of the county yet, hence officials haven't been able to adopt out any of the animals.
Hawk told the county board recently she'd received several thousand dollars worth of donations, such as horse feed. That supply is used up, and Hawk said eventually she would like to see her office reimbursed for the added costs. Union County Board Chairman Bill Jackson said he'd like to see legal proceedings wrap up and begin moving some of the animals out of the county's care.
The Elsners have not been taken into custody and have declined to comment on matters at this point. A preliminary hearing for the case is set for Jan. 31, 2006. | Source: The Southern - January 19, 2006
Update posted on Jan 19, 2006 - 11:56AM |
The accused are not in custody and refused to comment on the charges when contacted. Union County State's Attorney Allen James said felony charges apply because three of the animals - one cat, one dog and one horse - had to be euthanized because of their serious injuries or illnesses.
Animal Control Supervisor Donna Hawk said her office had been aware of complaints at the farm for some months, but lacked sufficient evidence to prove neglect. After suspicions surfaced that some of the dogs might have been stolen, authorities came to the farm armed with a search warrant. James said the house was filthy with animal excrement even on chairs in the dining area of the house. However, he said, the Department of Children and Family Services has informed him that a young teen-aged boy living in the house will not be removed from the home based on preliminary investigation. Union County Victim's Advocate Cathy Stone said she feels bad for the animals, but worse for the child. She said regardless of what ultimately happens with the child, his life has been turned upside down.
"Let's not forget there is a child involved in this," she said. "That child is going through a lot more than the animals are. That sometimes gets lost in all this."
James said it is his understanding that the child is staying with other family members for the immediate future.
He said the animals are in the process of rehabilitation. In most cases, malnourishment is the biggest problem with the horses and dogs, he said. The cats seem to be in the worst shape, with many exhibiting signs of respiratory and ocular illness and untreated wounds. No court date has been set yet for the couple. James said attorney Alan McIntyre will represent the Elsners.
Hawk said monetary donations for veterinary care and donations of food for the animals will be very much appreciated. She thanked the many people who have already called to offer assistance and urged them to be patient if they are not called back right away.
To make donations of animal products or money, call the Union County Animal Control Office at (618) 833-4915 or the Right Way Animal Rescue in Crab Orchard at (618) 982-9800. Animals will not immediately be ready for adoption from this rescue, but adoption is a possibility. Right Way, where the cats have been placed, asks that people not come to the facility without an appointment. | Source: The Southern - December 24, 2005
Update posted on Dec 23, 2005 - 11:31PM |
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