Peoria, IL – Dogs who were abandoned on a boat anchored in the Illinois River are getting their second chance after being discovered by Fon du Lac Police officers who noticed a “foul smell” coming from the watercraft. According to a joint press release from the Peoria Fire Department and Peoria Police Department, seven dogs were in kennels on the 32-foot cabin cruiser; one dog had already died.

According to the news release, the cabin cruiser was anchored in the river channel in the area of the RiverPlex. The Fon du Lac police requested assistance from the Peoria Fire Department, who responded with a fire boat.

When officials entered the anchored craft, they discovered seven young dogs who were “emaciated” and locked in kennels; one dog had already passed away. No human occupants were discovered on the boat.

Peoria Police and Peoria Animal Welfare were summoned to the craft to investigate.
This incident is under investigation by the Peoria Police Criminal Investigations Division.

The surviving dogs were taken to the Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter for care.

No further information about who the boat is registered to has been released and it is a mystery as to why the dogs were abandoned.

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