Amid the news accounts of events surrounding the death of 5-year-old Andrew “AJ” Freund of Crystal Lake were mentions made of a dog belonging to AJ and his family.
In the wake of the tragic story, many people in the community have expressed concern about the well-being of the dog, a brown boxer named Lucy, who lived with the family in a now-vacant home on Dole Avenue.
“We have been inundated with a number of calls (about Lucy). People want to do something, somehow,” said Keri Zaleski, community information coordinator for the McHenry County Health Department.
Zaleski, a spokeswoman for the county’s animal control division, on Tuesday reported that Lucy is healthy and in a safe foster home.
She said there have been “dozens” of calls about the dog, believed to be about 8 years old. Many callers are asking to adopt or help in caring for her.
The dog was examined by a veterinarian and was said to be in good health with no illness or bruising, Zaleski said. She is not yet available for adoption.
Lucy is a “good-spirited dog and happy with her foster family,” Zaleski said.
Authorities allege AJ’s parents beat their 5-year-old son to death inside the Dole Avenue home. The parents, Andrew Freund, 60, and JoAnn Cunningham, 36, are charged with murder and other crimes in the death of the boy, whose body was found in a shallow grave last week near Woodstock. They are being held in the McHenry County Jail on $5 million bail.
The dog was heard barking from inside the house during the days authorities searched for AJ, who had been reported missing by his parents. Upon the arrest of AJ’s parents, animal control workers were alerted by police officers that Lucy was in the home, and they removed the dog.
According to neighbors, there were times the dog was out loose.
According to McHenry County documents, Cunningham was charged in February with ordinance violations for allegedly not having the dog licensed and for failing to vaccinate the animal. The charges are still pending.
Court records also show Cunningham was found guilty in 2015 of failing to vaccinate the dog.
“The community has opened its arms about Lucy,” said Maryellen Howell, manager of the county’s veterinary public health division. “Unfortunately, we cannot take donations for a specific animal, but we can take donations to a shelter fund, which helps dogs and cats who need services above and beyond those that we are able to provide.”
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Donations may be made to McHenry County Animal Control, 100 N. Virginia Ave., Crystal Lake 60014.
A hearing is set for May 30 in family court related to a younger child removed from the home and placed in foster care. Freund has a court hearing scheduled for Friday, and both parents are scheduled to appear in criminal court May 10.
Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.