Rachel Birkenfeld, 46, has been charged with two counts of possession of dangerous animal and four counts of neglect of owner's duties, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.
A social worker told officials about the animals and the sheriff's department conducted a well being check at the home of Birkenfeld's mother. They found two Capuchin monkeys and five dogs in the home in the 3100 block of 192nd Street in Lansing. The female was in a small, wire dog cage and the male monkey was in a large, metal cage made for birds. Inside those cages, officials say there was excrement and cigarette butts.
The five dogs were also in filthy cages and none of the animals had food or water, police said.
Birkenfeld was arrested on June 24. She told officer she kept the animals at her mother's house because there is more room there, according to a Cook County Sheriff's Department statement.
Illinois residents need special permits from the state to possess primates.
The monkeys and dogs were taken to the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge.
