Joliet Dogs Named Louie And Chanel Victimized By Their 2 Pet Owners: Prosecutors

JOLIET, IL — An 11-month-long Joliet Police Department investigation has resulted in nine criminal charges filed against two Joliet residents in connection with the suffering and death of their companion dog named Chanel. A second dog named Louie also suffered life-threatening conditions, additional charges show.

The criminal complaint presented by Joliet Police Detective Jeremy Eaton indicated that Daijah Dubucelt and Ricky Brown left their dog Chanel outside in extreme heat without access to food, water or shelter last summer.

Brown and Dubucelt are charged with aggravated cruelty, two counts of cruelty to animals and six counts of owner's duties. All their crimes were committed on June 21, 2024, court files state.

Other criminal charges filed against them include cruelty to animals because they exposed Chanel in a manner that placed the dog in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat conditions that resulted in hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite or similar condition, which caused the death of Chanel, according to the complaint.

A second dog was also victimized by Dubucelt and Brown, the complaint noted. That dog was named Louie. Louie was placed in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time because of heat conditions, the complaint noted.

The pair is also charged with six counts of the crime called owner's duties. The complaint indicated the Joliet defendants did not provide Chanel and Louie sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water for the animals. The other owner's duties charges indicate that Brown and Dubucelt failed to provide adequate shelter and protection from the weather for Louie and Chanel.

The final two owner's duties state that Brown and Dubulet failed to provide veterinary care for Louie and Chanel when needed to prevent suffering for that animal.

Ricky Brown and Daijah Dubucelt share a dwelling in Joliet in the 200 block of Timber Ridge Court. Brown and Dubucelt have not been captured by the Joliet police. The warrant for their arrests was issued Monday by Will County Judge John Pavich.

Brown is 37 years old while Dubucelt is 22 years old, court files indicate.