An Arctic fox, two coyotes and 27 dogs were found at an illegal animal breeding operation in Crestwood, according to county officials.
The animals were being kept in inhumane conditions at an automotive business, with many of them caged in shopping carts with plywood over the top. The garage and junkyard area where the animals were kept were a mess of feces, urine and filthy water.
Police found the animals during a sting, when Danny Vithoulkas offered to sell undercover officers two 7-week-old German shepherd puppies, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office. It's illegal to sell a dog younger than 8 weeks old.
Vithoulkas, 44, was arrested and charged with nearly a dozen counts of animal-related crimes, including possession of dangerous animals, operating as a dog dealer without a license, and cruel treatment to animals.
There were 11 German shepherd puppies, 13 adult German shepherds, a pit bull puppy, an adult pit bull, and a Rottweiler mix rescued from the operation.
The Arctic fox and coyotes will be taken to a wildlife refuge after evaluation, while the dogs will be put up for adoption.
