Decatur Pet Service Owner Fined For Animal Cruelty

DECATUR, IL — A woman who ran a Decatur-based spay and neutering service for dogs and cats was fined in Macon County Circuit Court Wednesday after admitting to animal cruelty. Herald & Review reported Judge A.G. Webber IV permitted Beth A. Hughes, 57, to pay $500 at the rate of $50 a month in violation of a city ordinance that was filed May 19, after Macon Co. Animal Control wardens received a tip and visited Hughes' former house she still owns in the 1700 block of East Johns Avenue. According to the news report, wardens said they found 25 cats and seven dogs housed by Hughes in unsanitary conditions, without access to veterinary care or enough food and water.

Hughes launched the Care Van Pet Program in 2007, which in addition to offering spay, neutering and rabies shots, she also sold pet food and supplies at a reduced rate for those struggling to care for their dogs and cats.

Herald & Review reported some of Hughes' previous business volunteers told them they believed the woman became overwhelmed after she began caring for too many unwanted or abandoned animals.

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