DECATUR, Ill. – Decatur police are actively seeking a local man who is facing charges of animal cruelty in connection with the deaths of two pit bull puppies and the abuse of a third adult dog. After being called to the 1200 block of East Whitmer Street on December 12, patrol officers discovered the two deceased dogs and one suffering animal in poor condition. Fortunately, the surviving dog has since recovered under the care of the Macon County Animal Control and Care Center.
Detective Sgt. Brian Earles stated that a detective has been assigned to the case and is actively pursuing it. While the 53-year-old suspect remains at large, the authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest on three counts of animal cruelty.
According to Earles, the charges stem from the neglect and abuse that led to the suffering and deaths of the dogs. One puppy was found attached to a leash just 2 feet long, while the other had a chain wrapped around its neck. This case is just the latest in a string of animal cruelty incidents involving dogs in the area.
One well-known case involved a pit bull named Berry Blue, who was left to freeze outside in a Decatur yard and ultimately had to be euthanized just before Christmas 2022. The fate of Berry Blue sparked a protest movement featuring people wearing blue in the dog’s memory and packing courtroom hearings for animal cruelty cases.
Mark A. Miller Jr. and Nyssa R. Richardson-Miller, who have denied cruelty charges in connection with Berry Blue’s death, are nearing a potential plea deal with the office of the Macon County State’s Attorney.
Overall, the community remains concerned about the issue of animal cruelty, and local advocates, such as the founder of the protest group Justice for Blue, are committed to keeping the issue in the public eye.
The involvement of neighborhood residents, law enforcement, and animal welfare organizations has highlighted the need for greater awareness and action to prevent further cases of animal cruelty in Decatur.