A veterinarian accused of animal cruelty after four dogs were found dead and several other animals “decaying” at a Dolton animal hospital is now facing felony charges.
In court Wednesday, the Cook County State’s attorney’s office indicted Amardeep Sangha, 54, on three counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
“The State’s Attorney’s office went and got an indictment for a felony case,” said Sangha’s attorney Scott Frankel.
Sangha, the owner of the animal hospital, was charged in September along with the manager of the facility, 59-year-old Sharon Cargile, with five counts of cruelty to animals and eight counts of violation of owner's duties.
“We feel that at the worst what happened should have been resolved as a misdemeanor,” Frankel said. “We don’t think he’s guilty of anything. Felony has bigger consequences and it’s going to be a tougher case.
Investigators said the situation came to their attention after a Dolton police officer brought a stray dog to the Dolton Animal Hospital and discovered conditions described as "deplorable."
Police said the hospital was rife with urine, feces and "animals in various stages of decay." A total of four dead dogs were found, along with 10 other animals in "various stages of emaciation," including nine dogs and one cat, according to investigators.
The upper floor of the facility, located at 15022 Lincoln Ave., is used as an animal hospital. The lower floor is used to house stray animals through an agreement with the Village of Dolton.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the hospital has an active kennel operator's license, which was renewed earlier this year.
“I’m sure when we get into the details it will come out that he’s a responsible doctor and a great guy,” Frankel said. “He feels terrible about the animals. He loves them, that’s why he went into the business.”
The other defendant charged in the incident did not show up in court Wednesday. Police have filed a warrant for her arrest.
