Lemont, Illinois – Andrew Malak, 58, was arrested on October 22 after police officers executing a gun warrant discovered 76 dogs living in deplorable conditions within his suburban home. Authorities reported that Malak faces multiple charges, including animal cruelty and felony weapon offenses.
Officers from the Lemont Police Department noted that the sheer number of animals present created safety concerns at the residence. In response, they enlisted the assistance of Cook County Animal Control and the Cook County Sheriff's Animal Cruelty Unit to manage potential hazards. All dogs were safely removed from the property.
Images shared by Ruby Whiskers Animal Rescue depicted the home's floors and walls covered in filth, with plastic bins seemingly used as makeshift beds for the animals amidst debris scattered throughout the house. Kim Arius, owner of Ruby Whiskers Animal Rescue, described the smell inside the home as overwhelming.
"The conditions these dogs were living in is deplorable," Arius stated on Facebook. She added that her organization had reached out to the resident two days prior to the police action, offering assistance which was reportedly declined.
Malak told FOX 32 Chicago that the dogs were connected to Braydens Battle Foundation, a nonprofit focused on rescuing pregnant and abandoned animals. He claimed to have recently taken in seven pregnant dogs after their previous living space in Leland, Illinois, was shut down. "If we go in there right now, you'll find buckets of food everywhere. I open feed, I open water, they're taken care of," Malak said.
Arius reported an attempt to rescue three of the dogs herself, including a potentially pregnant mother and two smaller animals. However, she was later informed by police that the rescued dogs are part of an ongoing court case and could not be fostered at that time.
The investigation into the matter remains active, and it is unclear if Malak has obtained legal representation.