Politics · Residential animal rulesLemont dog ordinance: Village weighs limits after 76 dogs foundAired October 26, 2026 at 11:11 PM UTCWritten October 26, 2026 at 11:16 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Lamont is considering household animal limits after police found seventy, six dogs0:11in one home.0:12On October twenty six, we reported that seventy-six dogs had been removed from a0:16condemned house and garage.0:18Now, the village is weighing rules that could affect residents keeping animals at0:22home, and the homeowner has been released pre-trial.0:24What would those rules change, and how would the village separate responsible care0:28from dangerous overcrowding?0:30Police found the dogs at Andrew Malik's property on McCarthy Road in Lamont.0:33The search grew out of allegations involving firearms.0:36Officers entered with a warrant on October twenty two, and the operation lasted0:41upwards of nine hours.0:42Seventy six dogs brought the village's animal, keeping rules into focus.0:46Police Chief Jason Lococo says Lamont has no ordinance regulating how many animals0:50residents can keep in a home.0:52He's comparing other municipalities' policies before taking the issue to the village0:55board.0:56The village hasn't adopted a new limit, and the absence of a numerical cap doesn't1:00settle whether animals were kept safely.1:02Malek already faces multiple animal cruelty counts and felony weapons charges1:06arising from the investigation.1:08Lo Coco says, We are definitely currently looking at whether there should be an1:11ordinance.1:12He added, It was never an issue until it became an issue.1:15He says an ordinance would be good for the neighborhood and the village.1:18Neighbors still heard dogs at the condemned property over the weekend.1:22That changes the impression that every animal had already left when the initial1:25rescue ended.1:26A rescue returned Sunday morning to collect more.1:28Neighbor Myra Bertling said the barking overnight Saturday, October24 , came from1:32animals that had been left behind.1:34The Sunday pickup followed on October25 .1:36Nobody has provided a complete account of when every dog left or where each one1:40went.1:41Prosecutors say Malik threatened to shoot a utility worker in July.1:44His firearm owner's identification card was later revoked.1:48Weeks later, a neighbor told police he'd threatened to kill her and her dogs.1:51Those alleged threats prompted a detective to seek a firearm restraining order and a1:55search warrant.1:56Inside the house, officers encountered the dogs and unsafe housing.1:59Prosecutors said ammonia levels were dangerously high.2:02The threats remain allegations in an unresolved criminal case.2:06Dirt covered floors and walls, and debris lay scattered inside.2:09Lo Coco called the living and housing conditions a bit deplorable and said they2:13required intervention.2:14The house was condemned.2:15Loco also described the dogs as healthy and cared for.2:19Shelter staff described many as under socialized and needing individualized care.2:23A dog can need help adapting to people even while appearing physically healthy, and2:27safe housing remains a separate concern.2:29Anti cruelty in Chicago had taken in thirty-three dogs by October twenty, four.2:34That place is part of the group with a receiving organization.2:37Staff still have to assess each dog's needs and provide suitable care.2:40Permanent homes for all seventy, six haven't been confirmed.2:43Malek, who's fifty-eight, says he was trying to save animals from being killed.2:47He described an intended program connecting pregnant, abandoned dogs with people2:51with disabilities or older communities.2:53Burling acknowledged that wish to prevent euthanasia while welcoming the dogs' move2:57towards safer surroundings.2:59Police recovered two handguns, but the total number of firearms is unclear.3:03Three firearms were initially counted.3:05Nobody has clarified whether the two handguns were part of that group or whether the3:08total has changed.3:10A judge in Bridgeville denied the state's request to detain Malik on a gun charge,3:14and he was released pre-trial.3:16His charges remain unresolved.3:18His next proceeding is a status hearing in Bridgeville in November.3:20Lemont's review hasn't produced a proposed number or explained how restrictions3:24would work.3:24Lo Coco's next step is to compare other towns' rules for the village board.3:28The board still has to decide whether to create a residential animal ordinance at3:32all.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗
