Euthanasia Practices Under Fire At Animal Welfare League

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL -- An embattled animal shelter at the center of allegations of animal neglect and abuse has been fined and placed on probation by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation for violations of the Illinois Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act.

Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge was slapped with a $10,000 fine, according to IDFPR's enforcement report from December 2018. The animal shelter’s state euthanasia license was also placed on “indefinite probation with practice restrictions” for a minimum of five years at AWL's Chicago Ridge facility at 10305 Southwest Highway, and its Chicago location at 6224 S Wabash Ave. IDFPR is the regulatory agency charged with monitoring the state’s financial institutions and overseeing professional licenses in the state of Illinois.

This latest round of enforcement actions follow a cease and desist order that was handed down in November 2018 to AWL’s former executive director and board president Linda Estrada, who is alleged to have performed surgeries and administered drugs to shelter animals without a veterinary license. Estrada, who left Animal Welfare League last May amid mounting public pressure, denies the allegations.

The disciplinary measures and fine are based on IDFPR investigations that took place in February 2018 after former and current volunteers and employees raised alarm about conditions inside the Chicago Ridge animal shelter, according to information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

During the state agency's inspections, investigators said they found several potential violations of the humane euthanasia act, including violations of the Illinois and federal controlled substances act. State investigators also noted the aiding of “certified euthanasia technicians” as well as "unlicensed individuals in violating provisions of the humane euthanasia act."

While a follow-up investigation showed that many of the violations had been fixed, the IDFPR determined that the allegations constituted grounds for the state to place both of the animal shelter's euthanasia licenses on indefinite probation. During the probationary period, AWL must submit quarterly reports including the names of licensed euthanasia technicians and veterinarians employed or contracted by the shelter, as well as the number of animals euthanized at each AWL facility. The animal shelter is mandated to report any instances or allegations of malpractice or substandard care, including but not limited to any local, state or federal government agencies.

Animal Welfare League issued a written statement in response to the IDFPR enforcement actions:

“Animal Welfare League worked with the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation to come to an amicable and positive working agreement that will provide maximum transparency of the standards and care that AWL provides animals in its shelters. We look forward to working closely with all the state regulating agencies and will work hard to encourage the expansion of the systems and oversight we jointly develop to shelters and rescues throughout the state of Illinois.”