About 41 Animals Found Dead In Western IL Pet Store

MACOMB, IL — A Western Illinois pet store owner was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after around 41 animals were found dead in her shop over the weekend. More than 50 other creatures were discovered alive by police at Macomb Pet Land, which is in Macomb, near the Illinois-Iowa border.

According to Macomb police, the department received a call Saturday, May 26, about possible animal abuse at the pet store. The caller told police that the shop was shut down, but pets were still inside, and there was a strong odor coming from the business, according to The McDonough County Voice.

Once police arrived, officers discovered that the store had been closed for maintenance, but a sign stated the animals inside were being cared for and fed, the report stated. Police, however, noticed a number of pets loose and the building, and the landlord was contacted to allow officers to get in, the report added.

Once inside, the officers were overcome by the smell of dead animals and ammonia, the report stated. Power in the building also needed to be reconnected because it had been turned off May 14 for non-payment, the report added.

The following animals were found dead inside the pet store, according to the Voice:

• 10 snakes
• eight rabbits
• five hamsters
• five mice
• three hermit crabs
• three tarantulas
• two degus, which are chinchilla-like rodents
• a gerbil
• a lizard
• a rat
• a guinea pig
• a cockatiel
• an undetermined number of fish

Around 56 animals were still alive inside the store, and they were turned over to the McDonough County Animal Shelter, which began finding foster homes for the pets. Although all the animals have been placed, the agency is asking for donations of cockatiel, parakeet, lovebird and Macaw food, as well as hamster, gerbil, mouse, chinchilla and rabbit food. A list of surviving pets was not given, but the Voice reports that no dogs — dead or alive — were inside the store, and two cats were rescued.

Police issued an arrest warrant Sunday, May 27, for Macomb Pet Land's owner, Jessica Lynn Spangler, 38, of Avon, Illinois. She was apprehended in Fulton County and released from McDonough County Jail on $10,000 bond. Spangler told police that she had arranged for someone to care for the animals and didn't know that they were being neglected, according to the Voice.

Investigators have reached the individual who was allegedly supposed to care for the animals, and the department is continuing its probe into what happened, the report added.

Anyone interested in donating the pet food needed for the animals in foster homes can contact the McDonough County Animal Shelter through its Facebook page.

More via The McDonough County Voice

Macomb Pet Land (Photo via Macomb Police Department)