Community Corner

Muddy Paws Suspect Pleads Not Guilty, More Dead Dogs Found

Missing Chihuahua and beagle found at Muddy Paws in Deer Park.

The skeleton and microchip of Lucha, a Chihuahua and Diane Eldrup’s personal pet, was found outside the back door of her residence, last week. A dead beagle stuffed in a bag was also found at the Muddy Paws site, increasing the total of dead dogs found to 19.

The Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Mermel said felony charges will be increased to at least 36 counts. Eldrup, suspected of starving the dogs as well as three birds to death, is currently charged with 34 counts of animal torture and aggravated cruelty. Her attorney has entered a plea of not guilty, Mermel said.

Janice Robinson, the former foster parent of Lucha, was on a quest to find out what happened to the dog she loved, but she said this news raises more questions.

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“There isn’t any relief. I don’t know why or how she died. In a way it makes it a lot worse. If you care about a dog, you don’t just leave it by the back door like garbage,” Robinson said.

Robinson said Eldrup’s son, Tyler, was very close to Lucha. She thought Tyler’s attachment to Lucha would have prevented Eldrup from harming the dog.

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“The thought of Tyler maybe seeing her dead body tortures me  . . . . that poor  kid,” Robinson said.

The dogs were found after Kurt Eldrup, estranged husband of Diane Eldrup, went to the residence to retrieve some belongings. When he moved a desk, he found a Beagle, named Leo, wrapped in a garbage bag, explained Kim Clark, of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Clark was helping Robinson in her search for Lucha while she has been gathering information for the criminal case.

As Kurt Eldrup exited the house, he saw a small skeleton by the back door that had probably been under snow previously. An officer from Lake County Animal Control found the microchip that confirmed the remains were that of Lucha.

“So many elements don’t add up. If she died of natural causes, why put the body out there? Why not bury it or throw it in the garbage. Nothing makes sense,” Clark said.

Lucha’s body would have been easily seen from the windows in the residence and would have been seen whenever Eldrup or her son used the back door, Clark said.

Leo, the Beagle, was given to Muddy Paws by a family in February, 2010, who thought Eldrup would find an adoptive home for the pet.

“They thought she would get a good home. They had a son, age 7, who loved the dog. The dog was age 2,” Clark said. “She didn’t get any money from the family. Why take an animal in when there are dying one’s there?”

Clark suspects that more animals than those found may have died of neglect at Muddy Paws. She wonders if the rescue operation at Muddy Paws saved any dogs.

“How many dogs did she save? People aren’t coming forward saying they adopted a dog from her,” Clark said.

Robinson has found some peace after learning that will be added to the charges. Robinson said the word Lucha means "to fight" in Spanish.

“She did fight . . . she survived the puppy mill, and she had a wonderful life after that, at least until Diane lost her mind. Lucha and Tyler were so cute together. I’m so glad that they had each other in their lives,” Robinson said.

The indictment on additional charges will go before a grand jury on March 23.


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