After conducting a thorough investigation that spanned over a year, authorities have finally brought charges against two individuals about an incident that resulted in the tragic deaths of nine dogs. The incident took place in Lake Station, Indiana.
Lake County, Indiana, Prosecutor Bernard Carter announced that Michael McHenry and Jessee Urbaszewski have been charged with 18 counts of animal cruelty. Carter stated that these charges are classified as class A misdemeanors, with a potential penalty of one year in the Lake County Jail and a $5,000 fine for each count.
The Indiana State Police have released the driver’s license photos of the men who are currently being sought after on warrants.
Last summer, McHenry’s company, F.M. K9, was involved in the incident when they were tasked with picking up 18 dogs at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, according to investigators.
The dogs were on their way to a training facility in Michigan, where they would undergo training to become security and police dogs.
According to the Indiana State Police, nine dogs tragically lost their lives or had to be put down due to overheating in the cargo area of a box truck.
A vigil was organized to honor the German shepherds who tragically died from overheating during their drive from O’Hare to Michigan City.
According to investigators, temperatures on that day were nearing 90 degrees.
According to Sergeant Glen Fifield of the Indiana State Police, the truck’s cab lacked ventilation and a visible monitoring system to oversee the cargo area. Additionally, there was no temperature alarm to alert the driver of potential hazards in the cargo area. Furthermore, the truck had a substandard cooling system that did not meet the requirements for safely transporting the dogs.
The truck experienced a mechanical failure in Lake Station, Indiana.
According to officers who arrived at the scene, the driver was found using a portable cooling device. It is important to note that this device is not intended to serve as a substitute for an air conditioning unit.
Indiana State Police Detective Chris Eagles expressed his concerns about the effectiveness of spot cooling for a large and severe situation. He emphasized that the lack of ventilation and air vents in the truck further compounded the issue.
Jenny Webber and her team from the Humane Society of Hobart, Indiana were deeply affected by the heartbreaking scene. While she is relieved that those responsible for creating such deadly conditions are being held accountable, she strongly believes that further action needs to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such tragic incidents.
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According to Webber, it is crucial to avoid the detrimental consequences that companion animals, working dogs, and service dogs face due to mass production and breeding. He strongly believes that our community can improve and provide better conditions for these animals.
Officials have stated that the surviving dogs were transported to a training facility in Michigan, where they are currently serving at different law enforcement agencies.
Both men have been issued arrest warrants, but it remains uncertain when they will be appearing in court.
PETA expressed their gratitude to the Indiana State Police and the Lake County prosecutor for taking action against the accused and seeking justice for the dogs. In a statement, PETA acknowledged that while nothing can undo the immense suffering and painful deaths that these dogs endured, they appreciate the efforts made to hold the accused accountable for their blatant disregard and negligence towards the animals.
