A 28-year-old Dyer man has posted bond after getting arrested on more than 50 counts of animal neglect-related charges, and more people may be involved, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
On November 20, INDNR officers, along with Lake County Sheriff’s Police officers, served a search warrant after a monthlong investigation to a home in the 8500 block of Sheffield Avenue, INDNR Spokesman Ofc. Alex Neel told the Post-Tribune Thursday. The department received an anonymous complaint of a resident with weapons for illegally harvesting deer, Neel said.
The Post-Tribune isn’t naming the man as the case hasn’t been filed in the county court docket yet.
After officers served the warrant, they found 29 deer skulls; four box turtles, which are native to Indiana but considered endangered; one snapping turtle, 23 dogs and five cats in various stages of health, Neel said. With the help of Lake County Animal Control, the dogs and cats were taken to various Humane Societies and shelters for medical attention.
As of Wednesday night, Neel said none of the animals had been euthanized, and he hadn’t heard any changes to that news on Thursday.
“The animals taken to the shelters were definitely malnourished, and their living conditions were rough,” Neel said.
The INDNR has preliminarily charged the man with 31 counts of illegal possession and taking of whitetail deer, 23 counts of neglect of animals, 3 counts of removing Eastern Box Turtles from the wild, and one count each of possession of an undersized snapping turtle, failure to purchase a hunting license, illegal possession of bobcat (tail), hunting deer with the aid of bait, false informing, and hindering a Conservation Officer, according to the DNR release.
Neel said the investigation is ongoing, and INDNR has reason to believe there are more people involved on the wildlife side of the case.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.