Cruel Joliet Dog Owner Arrested By Joliet Police Charged With Felonies: Landeros

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department has obtained felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals against a 39-year-old woman. Krystal Dean was booked into the Will County Jail.

According to police spokesman Tizoc Landeros, Joliet officers were contacted by Joliet Township Animal Control around noon Monday regarding a possible case of animal cruelty. Officers responded to the 1200 block of Hague Court, where they saw a black and tan female Rottweiler mix, later identified as "Luna," in a cage in the backyard.

Luna had a chain collar embedded in her neck, causing an open wound with active larvae and fly activity, Landeros revealed. She also appeared to be extremely emaciated, with visible ribs and hip bones, police said. The Joliet Police Animal Crimes Team was notified and responded to the scene.

JPACT officers spoke with Dean, who police say claimed ownership of Luna and said she had been aware of the embedded chain for about two weeks. She claimed to have taken Luna to a veterinarian but could not provide any documentation, Landeros said.

Dean also stated that Luna was strictly an outdoor dog and had been kept in the kennel due to a broken leash, the arrest report showed.

No food or water was observed within Luna’s reach, Landeros said.

Dean signed Luna over to JTAC. Luna is currently receiving veterinary care and is expected to make a full recovery, Landeros shared.

As for Dean, she was taken into custody and transported to the Joliet Police booking area, where she was processed and then transported to the WCADF without incident.