Justice Served in Animal Torture Trial: Dog Advocates

Janice Robinson drove to Lake County, Ill., from southwest Minnesota to attend the trial of now convicted animal torturer Diane Eldrup.

 After reading about animal cruelty charges in January, Robinson followed the case closely, and took a road trip to the trial this week, because she wanted to see justice served.

As the verdict came in at 10 p.m. Sept. 8, Robinson and other animal advocates shed silent tears in the courtroom.

“Justice was served by the verdict. We don’t know yet if justice will be served by the sentencing,” Robinson said as she prepared to drive home Friday morning. She said she really needed to get back home to hug and kiss her six dogs.

Sandy Wisniewski, a humane investigator and founder of Animal Education and Rescue in Libertyville, attended the first day of the trial. She also has a very personal connection to the dogs that suffered abuse.

18 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 18 counts of cruel treatment to animals. Those 18 counts represented 14 dead dogs and four survivors.

Wisniewski was in charge of finding foster homes and, later, adoptive homes for the four survivors.

“The fact that four of those counts are for those dogs, I don’t know how it can get any more personal than that,” Wisniewski said.

Wisniewski said it was difficult seeing the graphic photos of the emaciated survivors on the first day of the trial.

“When I saw the pictures of Sasha, it took my breath away … knowing her personality; she’s such a happy-go-lucky, spirited, mischievous little girl. The look on her face (in the photo) was beyond heartbreaking,” Wisniewski said.

Wisniewski said she was impressed with the prosecuting attorneys and the team of investigators who worked on the case.  

Robinson said she felt sorry for Eldrup, yet she believes she deserves time spent in jail.

“I feel sorry for her inability to accept responsibility for what she did. And I do understand the part of her testimony where she said she just ‘shut down.’ …  I have shut down under extremely stressful emotional situations, so I know that is possible. But, I have never shut down to the point that I would not feed and water my dogs who are right there with me,” Robinson said.

Robinson believes jail time along with restorative justice would be appropriate.

“Diane, or any offender, should not just be punished, but taught and educated about how their crimes have affected others,” Robinson said.

For more on the Muddy Paws trial, read:

• Jury: Diane Eldrup Guilty of Animal Torture, Cruelty in Muddy Paws Case
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• The Dogs Ruined Her Marriage: Witness Recalls Words of Accused.
• Vets Testify: Muddy Paws Dogs Starved to Death