Woman Faces Felony After Dog's Heat Stroke-Related Death In Joliet

JOLIET, IL — A 58-year-old Joliet woman faces a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty after police say her 14-year-old Labrador retriever had to be euthanized after suffering heat stroke.

The woman, Kerrie Swick, of the 500 block of Springwood Drive, remained in the Will County jail Wednesday, with a court appearance scheduled for Friday morning, according to jail records.

Joliet Township Animal Control contacted police after officials say Swick contacted them around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, asking for help moving the dog, named Bear, from her backyard to a vehicle so he could be taken to a veterinarian.

An animal control worker responded to the home and found the dog in the backyard without proper shelter, food or water, according to police, who say they learned the dog had been outside since around 8 p.m. the previous day. The temperature in Joliet was in the low 80s at 8 p.m. Tuesday, and in the mid- to upper 70s for several hours overnight, dropping into the upper 60s by 3:15 a.m. It had returned to the low 80s by 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The dog appeared to be in grave condition and was taken to a veterinary center in Plainfield, where staff determined that Bear had an internal temperature of 110 degrees and had suffered from heat stroke, police said. The dog was euthanized due to its poor medical condition.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office approved a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty against Swick, who was arrested at her home around 2:40 p.m. Wednesday.

"The Joliet Police Department reminds the public to take extra precautions to protect their pets during periods of extreme heat," police said in a news release. "Please keep a watchful eye on your animals and ensure they have access to shade, food, and plenty of fresh water. Thank you to the Joliet Township Animal Control and the Will County State’s Attorney Office for their collaboration in this case."