Yorkie Dies In Joliet Backyard, Pit Bull Saved: Joliet Police

JOLIET ? Several times a year, Joliet area police departments are called to investigate a death of someone's pet. That happened again this week, and this time it resulted in the Joliet Police Department making an arrest of 52-year-old resident Antonio Ross on charges of cruel treatment of animals.

Once the booking process was over, Joliet police let Ross go home, giving him a notice to appear at the Will County Courthouse to face his charges.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 1:26 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of Baker Avenue after receiving a call to check the welfare of two dogs on the property.

Upon arrival at the backyard of the house, the officers found a Yorkie mix breed dog that appeared to be dead and connected to a larger chain.

A second dog, a pit bull, was found chained up in the back as well. The pit bull appeared to be alive, but in very poor health. Officers made contact with Ross at the residence, who claimed ownership of both dogs. Ross was placed into custody without incident. Joliet Township Animal Control took possession of both dogs.

This case remains under investigation, English stressed.