Cops Care For Beaten Pit Bull After Arresting Owner For Animal Cruelty: Police

MANHATTAN, IL — The cops cared for a beaten pit bull, feeding and walking her for a weekend, before animal cruelty charges were brought against her owner, police said.

Officers took the dog, a 9-month-old named Raven, into protective custody March 10 after investigating a report of animal abuse and finding wounds on the animal, said Police Chief Joseph Wazny. The wounds were consistent with a citizen complaint of the dog’s owner, 26-year-old Richard Winchell, abusing her, Wazny said.

Winchell beat, kicked and threw Raven to the ground, according to a criminal complaint filed in Will County court.

Raven was taken by officers on a Friday, Wazny said, but detectives could not meet with prosecutors or a judge until Monday, so the dog stayed at the police department, which is equipped with a kennel. Raven was also examined by Dr. Bill Wild of Grand Prairie Animal Hospital and given antibiotics for her wounds, as well as other medication, the chief said.

Raven was taken from the police department to Will County Animal Control, and will have to stay there until the case against Winchell is resolved. Depending on the case’s outcome, the village could ask the judge to have Raven turned over to a rescue group. The group would evaluate Raven in hopes of giving her to a foster family before ultimately putting her up for adoption, Wazny said.

“It’s a very intensive process,” he said.

Winchell was charged with three counts of animal cruelty. He was freed on his own recognizance and has a scheduled April 12 arraignment.

Raven the pit bull | image via Manhattan Police Department