Duo Accused In 'Horrible, Painful' Starving Deaths Of Dogs

WHEATON, IL — Bond has been set for two Hoffman Estates residents accused of starving two dogs who died "horrible, painful" deaths," DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's office. Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Robert Marshall announced Tuesday that 19-year-old Sarah Gorski and 27-year-old Andre Norris, both from the 1700 block of Queensbury Circle, each face four counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals, one count of felony forgery and two counts of misdemeanor unlawful disposal of an animal stemming from an investigation into animal cruelty claims, according to the state's attorney's office.

On March 2, Naperville police officers and Naperville Animal Control personnel were called to a trail in a wooded area regarding a dead German Shepherd, who was later identified as Meliodas, or "Otis," the news release said. The dog was found wrapped in a bed sheet inside a storage container near a drainage ditch, weighing just 20 pounds, the state's attorney's office said, adding that a German Shepherd should weigh 50 pounds more than that.

An investigation led authorities to Gorski and Norris, who were said to be the owners of Otis and at least two other dogs, "Scooby," a German Shepherd and hound mix, and "Bubba,"a Corgi, according to the news release. Authorities also learned that none of the dogs had frequented the vet.

According to the news release, a search warrant was executed on the pair's home on March 12, where investigators found a 20-pound Scooby in a rusted dog crate, filled with animal feces, blood and urine. He was severely starved, couldn't walk, feces stuck in his fur, and had "massive" sores, including one that almost showed his bone, the news release said.

Bubba wasn't found, and authorities learned during the investigation that Bubba was said to have died during the first week of March. However, investigators found Bubba, who weighed just four pounds, in a field wrapped in a sheet where Gorski and Norris are accused of dumping him, according to the news release.

Both Otis and Bubba were sent to the University of Illinois Veterinary School for a necropsy where it was determined that Otis died from canine parvovirus, starvation and rat poisoning, and Bubba died from starvation, according to the state's attorney's office.

Norris and Gorski are also accused of forging pay stubs from Norris’ former employer, Petland, according to the news release.

Gorski and Norris turned themselves in to authorities Monday, and both appeared in bond court Tuesday morning during which DuPage County Judge Brian Telander set bond at $100,000 with 10 percent to apply for Norris, and and $50,000 with 10 percent to apply for Gorski, the news release said.

“To say the charges against Sarah Gorski and Andre Norris are disturbing would be a gross understatement,” Berlin said, in the news release. “Otis and Bubba both died a horrible, painful death, allegedly because these two defendants starved them to death. What’s even more disturbing is the allegation that the defendants fed Otis rat poison. Thankfully, the manner in which Gorski and Norris allegedly treated their pets was discovered and Scooby appears to be on the mend. If these charges are proven in court, the defendants will pay a serious price."

Berlin also thanked the Naperville Police Department, Naperville Animal Control, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, VCA Boulder Terrace and Care Animal Clinic of Plainfield, in addition to Assistant State's Attorney Alyssa Rabulinksi for their efforts in this "heartbreaking" case."I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Alyssa Rabulinski for her efforts on this heartbreaking case

Marshall added that the investigation was taken extremely seriously by the police department.

“I am very pleased we are holding those allegedly responsible in this case accountable for their actions. I am appalled by the alleged abuse perpetrated on these defenseless animals and wish to commend our investigators and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their collaborative efforts.’’

According to the state's attorney's office, both Gorski’s and Norris’ next court appearance is scheduled for June 1.