Illinois man charged with animal cruelty after 19 dogs found in filthy conditions

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. - A Bolingbrook man was charged with animal cruelty after authorities found 19 dogs living in deplorable conditions inside his home, according to Will County court documents.

Aaron Rice, 36, faces felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, misdemeanor cruelty to animals, and 15 counts of owner’s duties violations and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Pictured is Aaron Rice, 36.

The charges stem from an investigation that began after a Great Dane under his care named Freya was taken to an emergency animal hospital on Jan. 31 with severe injuries, including extreme weight loss and skin necrosis.

*WARNING: Images in this story may be disturbing to some readers*

Animal abuse

The backstory:

Freya’s owner, Leah Sayad, had contracted Rice for a four-week training program and handed over the dog on Jan. 23, prosecutors said. 

"He told me, straight up told me, that he was going to treat her as one of his, you know, one of his own dogs," Leah Sayad said, but added her young Great Dane was not treated like family. "Her hips were sticking out, her ribs were sticking out. She couldn't even lift her head."

Sayad told investigators that she repeatedly asked for updates and pictures but never received any. On Jan. 31, Rice contacted her, saying Freya was not eating and having difficulty standing. However, he did not initially disclose the extent of the dog’s injuries, according to court documents. Veterinarians who treated Freya indicated that her condition suggested she had been starved and confined in a space too small for her size.

"I started yelling at him, and he, he insisted he didn't see anything wrong with her," said Sayad.

Following the investigation into Freya’s condition, authorities obtained a search warrant for Rice’s residence. Upon entering, officers reported an overwhelming odor of urine, feces, and ammonia, according to court documents. They found 19 dogs caged in unsanitary conditions, lacking food, water and bedding. One dog had recently given birth to five puppies, which were already developing pressure sores from confinement in a space that was too small.

Officers also discovered multiple shock collars, including one so tightly fastened around a dog’s neck that it had to be cut off, leaving a deep wound.

Additionally, authorities found a container labeled with the names of illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as large quantities of prescription medications, including controlled substances like ketamine, diazepam, and midazolam.

Rice was booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility on Thursday. 

What's next:

Sayad has this advice for other pet owners.

"Definitely go to the property, check it out. I would even do background checks on the people," she said. "I don't know, I don't wish this upon anybody. It was, it was absolutely horrible."

Rice is expected to stay behind bars until his next court appearance, scheduled for April 10.