Eldrup Sentence Reduced From 30 to 18 Months Due to Statue Limitations
Jury convicted Muddy Paws owner of 18 counts of animal torture and 18 counts of aggravated animal cruelty in September.
Diane Eldrup
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Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Muddy Paws: Courts Taking Animal Cruelty Cases More Seriously
Animal advocates say Diane Eldrup’s sentence was stronger than in past cases and that justice was served.
When Diane Eldrup was sentenced to 2½ years in prison this week for the starving deaths of some 30 animals, it was a victory for animal rights advocates, because not so long ago Eldrup would have gotten off with probation. “It is definitely a strong sentence for a case like that and it sends a strong message,” said Adam Parascandola, director of animal cruelty issues for the Humane Society of the United States. “I think the county should definitely be applauded. They took this very seriously. Failure to provide food and water is the No. 1, most common form of neglect that is charged. Historically courts have not taken that as seriously,” Parascandola said. Parascandola said most courts would not be as open to trying to show intent to harm…
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Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Muddy Paws Sentence: 2.5 Years In Prison For Animal Abuser
Judge Booras says Diane Eldrup had a mean spirit and needs incarceration and rehabilitation.
A judge today sentenced Diane Eldrup, the woman convicted of numerous counts of animal abuse and torture in September, to two and a half years of prison. That is likely the longest sentence in an animal abuse case in Lake County history, said Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Mermel, who prosecuted the case. Nineteenth Judicial Court Judge James Booras said incarceration was necessary because to the seriousness of the crime. “It takes a certain meanness of spirit, a certain meanness of heart,” Booras said. “I’m not seeking to insult history, but I would say that she had a concentration camp for dogs. She was taking them in so she could kill them.” Booras said Eldrup’s crimes were beyond human comprehension. He said Eldrup did not want to …
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Thursday, September 8, 2011
Jury: Diane Eldrup Guilty of Animal Torture in Muddy Paws Case
The jury delivered its verdict about 10 p.m. Sept. 8.
A jury found Diane Eldrup guilty of 18 counts of animal torture, 18 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 18 counts of cruelty to animals shortly after 10 p.m. Sept. 8. "There is no doubt this sends a message not only to Diane Eldrup to others who would do similar crimes," Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel said. Sentencing for Eldrup is set for Oct. 18. Animal torture, a Class 3 felony, carrries a sentence up to five years in prison; aggravated animal cruelty, a Class 4 felony, carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. Eldrup continues to be free on bail. During closing statements, the prosecution argued the testimony showed Eldrup knowingly tortured the dogs. "They had no food, no water; the defendant starved the dogs…
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Ellen
4:04 pm on Thursday, October 20, 2011
You yourself have blamed other people for not forcing their way into Muddy Paws. You yourself have said that you have so many "what ifs" to live with. You yourself have said you will be haunted by what you could have done and didn't. If you take my questions as insults to you, it is your previously stated guilt (unfounded in my opinion) that is causing your reaction to me. A report was file with … more ›
Accused Says ‘That is Not Me’ During Animal Torture Trial Testimony
Diane Eldrup testifies that she didn’t know why the dogs were dying.
A tearful Diane Eldrup took the stand this afternoon in her own defense against charges of animal torture and animal cruelty at a Lake County Circuit Court trial. Eldrup, in a soft voice with a British accent, told the court her side of the story. Eldrup broke into tears several times during questioning with defense attorney John Curnyn and Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel. “I shut down," Eldrup said at one point during cross-examination. "That is not me. That is not me.” Eldrup testified that she was feeding the dogs once or twice a day during the fall of 2010. She said the dogs were losing weight and she experimented with switching their food and sought professional advice. “It was a roller coaster; the dogs were losing weight. …
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Ellen
4:23 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
Clearly mentally ill and in need of help -- but I'm sure everyone wants to torture her to death. Sad for the animals, sad for her...just totally sad. more ›
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Muddy Paws Animal Cruelty Jury Selection Begins
Prosecution’s witnesses could include son of the accused, police officers, veterinarians.
Jury selection began this morning for the trial of Diane Eldrup who is facing felony charges for aggravated animal cruelty and animal torture. When court recessed for lunch at noon, four jurors were approved. Four other jurors, who were questioned, were excused by Ninteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge James Booras. Jurors were questioned by Booras, Assistant States Attorney Michael Mermel, who is prosecuting the case; and defense attorney John Curnyn, as to whether they could be fair and impartial. Eldrup will go before a jury on 19 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, a Class 4 felony with a maximum punishment of one to three years in jail, and 19 counts of animal torture, a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum jail sentence of five …
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Peggy
7:59 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
We used Muddy Paws before it was a rescue and simply a boarding kennel. It was immaculate and Diane sincerely loved animals. It was apparent. My dog always came home happy with no issues. I can't imagine what would cause a person to flip so drastically and it barely seems like the person I once knew. I'm baffled. more ›
Monday, August 8, 2011
Muddy Paws Animal Torture Trial Set For Sept. 2
Diane Eldrup has not yet accepted an offer to plead guilty to lesser charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
Diane Eldrup and her attorney have not yet accepted a plea agreement, indicating the animal torture and cruelty case is likely to go to trial Sept. 2. Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Mermel, who is prosecuting the case, said he has not heard from Diane Eldrup’s attorney, John Curnyn, since a plea deal was offered June. 10. “He hasn’t said anything, so I’m assuming we’re going ahead on the trial date,” Mermel said. Eldrup is accused of starving to death 19 dogs, although a total of 34 dogs and three birds were discovered dead at Muddy Paws, a former rescue and boarding facility on Route 12 in Deer Park. Eldrup has been charged with 19 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, a Class 4 felony, with a maximum punishment of one to three years …
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Palatine Person
11:50 am on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Makes me wish they hadn't done away with the death penalty here in Illinois. more ›
Friday, June 10, 2011
Animal Advocates Believe Eldrup Deserves Jail For Muddy Paws Tragedy
Pet rescuer says outcome of Muddy Paws case could mean a better future for animals.
Many animal advocates attending today’s plea hearing for Diane Eldrup believe Eldrup should serve jail time to pay for allegedly starving to death 34 dogs who were under her care at the Muddy Paws boarding and rescue facility in Deer Park. Vernon Hills resident Evie Geren was one of about 20 animal advocates who attended the plea hearing and waited in court nearly two hours while defendants in other cases appeared before the judge. “The other people are going to jail for shoplifting or taking something out of a shed and nobody got hurt. I don’t see why she shouldn’t go to jail when deaths occurred,” Geren said. Eldrup and her attorney, John Curnyn, decided to consider pleading guilty to the lesser Class 4 felony charges of 19 counts of …
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Shannons Pet Sitting
2:22 pm on Monday, June 13, 2011
I agree 3 years for killing 34 animals is far from adequate! If it was human lives she had taken she'd be looking at life! The punishment needs to fit the crime in this matter & they need to set an example with her. more ›
Muddy Paws' Eldrup To Consider Guilty Plea in Animal Cruelty Case
Prosecutor says judge wants Diane Eldrup to serve jail time in Deer Park case.
Diane Eldrup and her attorney, John Curnyn, appeared in court today to discuss a plea with Judge James Booras and Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel. Eldrup is being asked to plead guilty to 19 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, a Class 4 felony, with a maximum punishment of one to three years in jail. In exchange for the plea, Eldrup would not be prosecuted for the 19 counts of animal torture, a Class 3 felony which carries a maximum jail sentence of five years. Eldrup is accused of starving to death 19 dogs, although a total of 34 dogs and three birds were discovered dead at Muddy Paws, a former rescue and boarding facility on Route 12 in Deer Park. While the plea conference was private, Eldrup and the attorneys returned to the …
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Muddy Paws Site Goes Down
Deer Park boarding/rescue facility where 34 dead dogs were discovered gets demolished.
The Muddy Paws building, where Diane Eldrup is suspected to have starved 34 dogs to death, is going down. A demolition crew, M. Rizzi & Son, arrived this morning to begin the process of erasing the former dog rescue and boarding facility from the Deer Park landscape. "This is where my beautiful Lucha lived, suffered and died," said Janice Robinson, a foster parent of one of the dogs who died at Muddy Paws. Robinson said she was brought to tears upon hearing of the demolition. Pete Rizzi, of M. Rizzi & Son, said the company was contracted by the bank to demolish the building. The former home and business of Diane Eldrup and her estranged husband, Kurt Eldrup, was foreclosed. IBT Holdings is listed as the current owner, in real estate …
diane drummond
7:53 am on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Hope she gets no food, water or attention in her cell. Hope she rots like her victims did! more ›