Chicago

Man Claimed Lost Dogs on Facebook Before Dropping Them From Parking Tower, Prosecutors Say

Prosecutors said the man responded to a Facebook post about two poodles being found before taking the dogs, even paying the Facebook poster a $20 reward.

A man charged after two dogs were dropped from the top floor of a suburban parking tower over the weekend was ordered held Tuesday on $350,000 bond, to the cheers of animal activists.

Edward Hanania, 22, was charged with animal cruelty Monday after one dog was killed and another injured, according to police. 

Hanania is accused of throwing two white toy poodles from the five-story structure at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

The dogs were taken to the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge, where the older of the two dogs, 6-year-old Guera, died from injuries, authorities said.

The other dog, 1-year-old Angel, is being treated for its injuries, according to police, and is scheduled to undergo another surgery.

Prosecutors said Hanania responded to a Facebook post about two poodles being found before taking the dogs, even paying the Facebook poster a $20 reward.

Police said the dogs escaped from their owners.

Though police said Hanania signed a confession, his attorney said his client isn't admitting to the crime.

"He is suffering," Chuck Ingles, Hanania's attorney, said. "He is troubled. He was pacing and was upset. ... He feels he has let down his father. He feels real bad about what this has done to his father and his family." 

Hanania has a criminal record dating back to 2013, with charges ranging from retail theft to the manufacture and distribution of a controlled substance. 

Ingles said Hanania told him he didn't do it, that he saw someone else throw the dogs.  

Rescue workers said the tragic case is an example of why pets should be microchipped and why when you find a lost pet, you should take it to a vet who can read that chip.

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