76 Dogs Removed From Lemont Home, Man Facing Animal Cruelty, Felony Weapons Charges: Police

LEMONT, IL — A man has been charged with animal cruelty and several weapons offenses, and 76 dogs have been removed from a Lemont home, Lemont Police said.

Andrew Malak, 58, was taken into custody without incident on Thursday. Malak is facing several counts of animal cruelty and felony weapons charges, police said.

Lemont Police said a search warrant was executed at the home in the 800 block of McCarthy Road on Thursday. Seventy-six dogs were removed from the home, and three weapons were recovered.

The search warrant was obtained pursuant to a firearms restraining order, issued by a Cook County judge, police said. Before executing the warrant, officers found that conditions at the home posed safety concerns to the number of dogs present.

Cook County Animal Control and the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Animal Cruelty Unit were requested to assist with
the operation.

Seventy-six dogs were found living inside the home and garage, police said. Cook County Animal Control, with assistance from Grundy County Animal Control, Palos Hills Animal Control, Bolingbrook Animal Control, Evergreen Park Animal Control and several local animal shelters, coordinated the removal and placement of the dogs.

The Lemont Fire Protection District also responded to the scene to assess and mitigate potential hazardous materials concerns, according to police.

"The Lemont Police Department would like to thank all responding agencies, animal control personnel, Lemont Public Works, the Lemont Building Department, the Lemont Park District, and local animal shelters for their cooperation and assistance in safely resolving this incident," police said.