Three people face aggravated animal cruelty charges after allegedly stranding several dogs on an abandoned boat last month.
Peoria County State's Attorney Jodi Hoos said 23-year-old Amanda Oneill, 19-year-old Kourtney Recaldini, and 22-year-old Jacob Bees all face class 4 felony charges in connection with the case.
On July 5, investigators found seven emaciated dogs kenneled in the boat anchored on the Illinois River outside the Peoria Riverplex. One dog was dead. The dogs had no access to food or water.
Hoos said investigators later determined the trio had been living on the boat with the dogs.
"This was a complicated case due to the location where the dogs were found, the lack of identifying records, and the sheer number of dogs and owners involved," said a release from the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office.
More charges are expected when the case goes before a grand jury later this month.
