Woman charged with animal cruelty after pit bull found in trash bag in Willow Springs

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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Dog found abandoned in Willow Springs making huge improvement, rescuers say
Vinny the pit bull, who was abandoned in a trash bag on the side of the road in Willow Springs, is improving, his rescuers said.

WILLOW SPRINGS, Ill. (WLS) -- A 48-year-old woman has been charged with animal cruelty after a pit bull was found emaciated in a trash bag in Willow Springs last month, the Cook County Sheriff's Office said.

The pit bull was found emaciated and dehydrated in a garbage bag on the side of the road on February 17, the sheriff's office said The dog was taken to South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights, where staff named him Vinny.

Investigators determined that the dog was last owned by Janiel Mixon of Justice. Mixon was arrested on February 28 and charged with cruel treatment of an animal and violating the owner's duties statute, both misdemeanors, the sheriff's office said.

RELATED: Pit bull found abandoned in trash bag on side of road in Willow Springs improving, rescuers say

The South Suburban Humane Society posted an update Sunday on Vinny's condition, saying the dog "loves squeaky toys and butt rubs and now freely comes to us for pets!"

The group also said he's eating well and putting on weight, and they're expecting to see great improvement in blood test results.

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