Prosecutors say Clifford Henry, an Evanston dog owner, zip-tied the mouths of six of his ten poodles and poodle mixes shut. Five of those dogs were left with lasting facial scarring, and another was left with gum disease and an ear infection, according to the indictment against him. A police investigation opened in August 2024, and by that November, Henry was indicted on 12 felony counts: six for animal torture and six for aggravated cruelty to animals. The indictment states he caused the dogs "extreme physical pain" and acted with the "intent to increase or prolong the suffering or agony" of the animals, according to the charging documents.

The dogs were removed and taken to Border Tail Animal Rescue in Northlake, where staff say they arrived matted, frightened, and unable to trust people. Every one of them has since been fostered and adopted into a new home — proof that recovery is possible when the system responds.

But recovery for the dogs shouldn't be the end of the story. Daniel Collins, the attorney representing Henry, has already called the felony charges "logically ridiculous," arguing there was no criminal intent behind what happened. A jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 5, and the outcome will send a message about how seriously Illinois treats extreme cruelty toward animals.

We're calling on the Cook County State's Attorney's Office to pursue every one of these 12 felony counts to the fullest extent of the law. Animals who can't speak for themselves deserve a justice system that speaks loudly on their behalf.

Sign the petition to demand full prosecution in this case — before another animal pays the price for a lighter charge.