CHICAGO, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Chicago authorities say they have closed an animal shelter and charged its owner with neglect and cruel treatment.
Police said many of the more than 100 animals found at Dazzle's Painted Pastures Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Cook County were sick or dead, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Dawn Hamill, 41, was charged with misdemeanor neglect of an owner's duties and cruel treatment Friday. The investigation stemmed from tips to the Cook County Animal and Rabies Control about conditions at the facility.
Investigators rescued 63 dogs, 31 cats, six rabbits and 30 livestock animals from the facility, which Hamill established in 2006. They found a dead miniature horse in a barn stall and euthanized two dogs. A cat later died.
Investigators said Hamill took the animals in with the intention of finding them homes. In an interview last week she said she was having difficulty caring for the animals.
"After her arrest, Hamill thanked investigators for intervening in a situation that had grown out of control and which led to criminal charges," a sheriff's official said.
