Jail time, probation for dog ‘torture camp’

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Diane Eldrup

Updated: November 20, 2011 8:52AM

The owner of Muddy Paws animal shelter was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months of local incarceration for starving more than a dozen dogs to death.

Diane Eldrup, 49, faced up to five years in prison for the 18 counts of animal torture she was convicted of and up to three years in prison for the 18 counts of aggravated animal cruelty that a jury convicted her of last month.

Lake County Circuit Judge James Booras sentenced Eldrup to 30 months of probation to serve at the same time as the 30 months of periodic imprisonment.

“It takes a certain mean spirit, a certain meanness of heart,” Booras said. “She was running a concentration camp for dogs, taking those dogs in so that she could kill them.”

A jury heard evidence that Eldrup allowed 14 dogs to die of starvation and dehydration while they were under her care at the Deer Park animal shelter. Their rotting carcasses were found amidst piles of moldy feces, and near empty food and water bowls.

Evidence was presented at Tuesday’s sentencing hearing that an additional eight to 10 carcasses were found at Muddy Paws after the snow melted. The 14 dead dogs and four live dogs were found Dec. 16, 2010, according to prosecutors Suzanne Willett, Michael Mermel and Raquel Robles-Eschbach.

“The defendant has been hiding and killing dogs far longer than the evidence of trial. The state is asking for a prison sentence. She starved them to death. She prolonged their suffering,” Willett said. “This was a torture camp for animals and she was a prison guard.”

Defense attorney John Curnyn pointed out Eldrup has no prior criminal history, a 9-year-old son and that psychologists found she has obsessive-compulsive disorder and a depressive disorder.

Curnyn also said Eldrup was undergoing a divorce and a failing business while she “shut down.”

“At trial, my argument was that she didn’t specifically intend this. While that failed, I still believe that,” Curnyn said.

Booras also ordered Eldrup to perform 200 hours of community service that had no contact with dogs and fined her $1,000. Eldrup was remanded into custody immediately following the sentencing hearing.

She will be kept in the custody of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at the periodic imprisonment facility next to the jail and will be released from custody for counseling, court obligations and work.

Booras also said he found the apology Eldrup made to be believable.

“I stand before you, your honor, truly sorry and very remorseful for what my actions have done ... my actions were wrong. I was unable to see that at the time, but with help, I am starting to see that now. I don’t deny any guilt,” Eldrup said.