Reward grows after six dogs found tortured, slain along road

CRETE, Ill. (WLS) - Crime Stoppers of Will County is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case of six dogs that were tortured and killed and left on the side of a rural road in Crete. It is the largest reward offered by the organization.

“This is really an important crime to solve,” said David Silverman of Crime Stoppers of Will County.

Two organizations add to reward

Two organizations teamed up to offer reward money in the case.

First Secure Bank Group offered $5,000 in April. Pets and Vets USA, which trains rescued pit bulls to be service dogs for veterans, is adding $20,000.

“Even if you’re not a pet lover, I mean, six little dogs being tortured and killed. How can anybody like anything like that,” said Jay Bergman, First Secure Bank Group board chairman.

Peter Cangelosi, founder of Pets and Vets USA, said, “We got to do something because this progresses from torturing animals to killing animals into human beings.” He said the person or people responsible need to be caught and stopped.

Bags found along Kings Road and Norfolk Avenue

In March, Crete Township workers found black garbage bags on the side of the road at the intersection of Kings Road and Norfolk Avenue in Crete Township. After the workers returned to their office, they discovered the bags had dead dogs inside.

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow described what investigators found.

“There were six pit bulls, 45 to 55 pounds, and they showed signs of having been in fighting,” Glasgow said. “I can’t tell you exactly, but they were brutally killed, and then thrown in black trash bags on the side of the road.”

A photo of the dogs has been blurred because of the state of the animals. The photo is being shared to show the coloring of the dogs, which may assist the investigation.

Glasgow: Animal cruelty a danger to society

Glasgow has helped strengthen Illinois animal cruelty laws over the years and is a pet owner. He said people who are cruel to animals pose a danger to society.

“Anybody who is cruel to animals is not just going to stop there, and that’s when you know every serial killer tortured animals as a child or on the way up,” Glasgow said.

How to claim the reward

Will County officials said anyone who claims the reward can remain anonymous. The reward would be paid after someone is charged, with no questions asked.

Anyone with information about the dogs found in Crete can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-323-6734 or text 274637.