DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Pets are meant for love, companionship and happiness, but for one couple in Macon County, that wasn’t the case.

Two people are facing animal cruelty charges after animal control discovered what they’re calling a “heartbreaking scene.” Law enforcement was initially called to the home for a burglary — but when they got there they discovered two dead dogs on the property.

“They still feel emotion, they still feel pain, they still feel all that stuff, and they still can have trauma,” Paul King said.

King is from Decatur and is a animal lover.

“I absolutely hate when people abuse animals or be cruel to animals because, I mean, they’re just living beings just like us,” King added.

Race Chapman and Angela Powell are facing animal cruelty charges in Macon county. Law enforcement said the crime happened May 29, but started off with a unusual call.

“The residents called the Decatur Police Department, make a burglary complaint. Upon their arrival, the Decatur Police discovered, animal neglect,” Ron Atkins, sergeant, said.

Atkins said they ended up finding two dead dogs, feces spread throughout the home, and a lack of water or power. Animal control also rescued 16 live animals from the property.

“The public would be surprised by how common it is,” Atkins said.

He said each year they take over 4,000 calls for different services. About half of those incoming calls are for animal cruelty cases. Sergeant Atkins said it hits home because he is also a pet owner.

“The chihuahua I got was found running loose in the winter. The dog weighed 8 pounds. If he hadn’t been found when he was, he would have froze to death and fast,” Atkins said.

That’s why for the past three years he makes it his duty to prevent these situations from happening.

“Animal cruelty ranges from misdemeanors to felonies, to city ordinance violations. It is a serious crime. And we do take it seriously,” Atkins said.

He says Chapman will appear in court again Sept. 23 and Powell will go back on Sept. 2.
WCIA talked to organizations who said they see these crimes daily — and it’s their mission to stop theses situations from occurring