Crime & Safety

Plea Offered in Muddy Paws Animal Cruelty Case

Defense attorney and Diane Eldrup to consider guilty plea for lesser felony.

Prosecutors offered a plea to Diane Eldrup, Monday, who was charged with 38 felony counts for starving to death 19 dogs at the Muddy Paws boarding and rescue facility in Deer Park.

Eldrup is being asked to plead guilty to the 19 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, a Class 4 felony, with a maximum punishment of one to three years in prison. In exchange for the plea, Eldrup would not be prosecuted for the Class 3 felony charges for animal torture, which carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

“Animal torture is difficult to prove. It’s difficult no matter how heinous the crime,”  Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Mermel said.

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“No matter how we may feel in animal protection, it is highly unlikely she would get the maximum of three years,” Mermel said.

Even though the Animal Legal Defense Fund considers Illinois one of the best states for its animal protection law, .

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Mermel said, even if Eldrup accepts the open plea, the prosecution would still recommend a prison sentence.

“It will be up to the judge to decide what he wants to do,” Mermel said.

Eldrup’s attorney, John Curnyn, asked Judge James Booras for a conference on June 7 to discuss the plea.

If Eldrup decides to plead guilty to aggravated animal cruelty, a sentencing date would be set. If she decides not to plead guilty, the case would go to trial.


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