A second dog removed from the same household is already in the offices custody, a DuPage County news release said.

Advertisement Lewiel Irmani, 25, of Matteson, was charged with one count of felony aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with the incident, according to a joint statement released by States Attorney Robert Berlin and Woodridge Chief of Police Brian Cunningham.

Police officers were called to the VCA Arboretum View Animal Hospital in Downers Grove about 7:30 p.m.

Saturday on a report of an abused Shih Tzu named Bella, the news release said.

Advertisement They were told the owner and her boyfriend, later identified as Irmani, brought the dog in for treatment.

Irmanis girlfriend said she arrived home from work Saturday to find the dog lying lifeless in the corner and asked Irmani to take her and Bella to the vet, the release said.

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Mayor know that I have been thinking about you According to police reports, Irmani was home alone with the dog when the animal went to the bathroom on the floor.

In response, Irmani whooped her in the mouth five times with a belt, the release said.

Veterinarian reports show the dog has rib fractures on both its left and right sides, a fracture to the left eye socket, a bleeding broken incisor tooth, bruising around the dorsal pelvis and a bleeding back molar tooth that was broken in the gum, the release said.

The injuries prevent Bella from closing her mouth and the dog can only take food or water via a syringe, police said.

The American Kennel Club says the Shih Tzu is toy breed of dog with long, silky hair.

It typically weighs between 9 and 16 pounds and stands between 8 and 11 inches tall.

Joanne Aul, supervisor of Naperville Animal Control, said Bella remains under the care of the animal hospital and her agency may temporarily hold Bella once she recovers.

Most read Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 2,145 new known COVID-19 cases and 32 additional deaths reported as DuPage among 30 counties on states latest warning list The Woodridge womans other dog is already in their care, Aul said.

The fact that someone would strike a defenseless animal is incomprehensible, Berlin said in the statement.

Irmani struck Bella numerous times with a belt causing extremely serious injuries, he said.

We take charges of animal cruelty very seriously and anyone accused of such acts will face serious felony charges.

Im pleased that the person allegedly responsible is being held accountable for his actions, Cunningham, a former Naperville deputy police chief, said in the statement.

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