There are so many questions and not enough answers in this case of animal abuse. Winnebago County Animal Services discovered 19 champion dogs starved to death and deserted on June 14, 1998.
Annette Peterson says she bought her dogs from the man accused of starving several prize schnauzers and leaving them to die. I last saw him on January 31, 1999. He was going on vacation and was supposed to return in February. I don�t understand how this could have happened, he loved those dogs. The landlord discovered the gruesome mess of dead carcasses when he went to check on the residence. The home is left in shambles. Neighbors had no idea that these dogs were being tortured to a slow death.
In all, 19 dogs were starved to their deaths. Most of them were found in their cages in the garage, but others were found stuffed in the bathtub with shampoo poured over their bodies to disguise the smell. Investigators say the dogs� owner, Allen Miller, raised and groomed the prize pets. Matt Stacy, Winnebago County Animal Services, says he was an elite member of the American Kennel Club. AKC dogs go for at least $600 to $1000. Some even more than that.
Animal services members say the canines probably died in February 1998. Annette Peterson may have been one of the last to talk with Allen Miller. "He sold me two of his prize schnauzers and I needed to talk to him when he got back from vacation, but he never came back."
If Miller is located, he will not face cruelty to animal charges. Leaders at the Winnebago County Animal Services say because the bodies of the dogs are badly decomposed, they wont� be able to prove anyone abused the animals. Although cruelty charges can not be filed, those responsible can face charges of illegal disposal of their bodies.
Police continue their search for Allen Miller. Case Updates Dog groomer Allen Miller's room-mate in Florida said she fears for his well-being after he dropped out of sight rather than face questions about 19 dead dogs found at his former home here. "He said, 'I can't take it anymore.' I know he's not coming back," said Judie Hartwig, who lived with Miller the past several months in Bradenton, Fla.
Hartwig, former owner of Grooming by Judie in Rockford, said Miller, 54, arrived in Florida looking depressed and saying someone had killed his dogs by poisoning them with antifreeze. After authorities found the decomposed carcasses and tracked Miller to Florida, he disappeared the next morning. Hartwig said he left behind all his personal belongings, including his one remaining dog and his latest paycheck. "He said, 'I won't need it,' " she said. "It had me worried."
Winnebago County officials have been searching for Miller, former owner of Groomingdale's pet salon on Johnson Ave. since finding 19 carcasses at 625 Furman St. One official has called it the worst case of animal abuse seen locally. County Animal Services director Len Selkurt said he could be convinced that the animals were poisoned and died quickly, despite initial assumptions that they were abandoned and died of starvation. Selkurt, however, questioned Miller's claim that an intruder was responsible for the killings. Selkurt wondered why the veteran dog groomer and breeder would not report such an incident to police. "That's one of those unanswered questions" he said.
Hartwig, 58, who relocated to Florida three years ago, said Miller was shocked when he discovered his dogs dead - most of them rare giant schnauzers. She said he already was depressed from respiratory ailments and other health problems that made it difficult to care for his dogs. She speculated that finding his dogs dead sent him over the brink. "They were all dead. And he didn't know what to do," she said. "To be honest, I think he just lost it." | Source: The Rockford Register - June 18, 1998
Update posted on Jul 9, 2006 - 4:16AM |
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