Princeville woman
facing 12
felony counts

By NICK VLAHOS
For The Weekly Post

PRINCEVILLE – A white automobile parked earlier this week in Stacy Mueller’s driveway sported a window sticker that stated “LOVE.” Replacing the “O” was a silhouette of what appeared to be a dog or cat.
What Peoria County law-enforcement officials accuse the Princeville dog groomer of doing might be considered the opposite of adoration.

Mueller, 41, was arrested May 11 and booked in the Peoria County Jail on 12 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. According to court records, Mueller posted $750 bond the following day. Her arraignment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. June 8.

Acting on a tip, authorities discovered a dozen dogs locked in a shed behind Mueller’s residence at 219 W. South St. One dog was dead, according to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office. The others were covered in feces and flies.

No food or water were found inside the shed. The indoor temperature was between 94 and 110 degrees, according to authorities.

Representatives of the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and Peoria County Animal Protective Services also found malnourished animals inside the residence. In all, authorities removed 21 living animals. Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins indicated cats as well as dogs were among them.

“These were horrible conditions that these dogs and cats were living in. No animal or human could survive in that type of environment for an extended amount of time,” Watkins stated in a news release.
Mueller operates a dog-grooming parlor in the former Ellen’s Diner space at 127 E. Main St. in Princeville, according to her neighbors.

The Weekly Post contacted Mueller by telephone Sunday. When a reporter identified himself, Mueller said “No, thank you,” and disconnected the call.

Another suspect in this case was being pursued late last week, according to the sheriff’s office. The suspect’s name was not released. More charges might result after a grand jury considers the case, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

The area around Mueller’s white-frame residence at South Street and Cottage Grove Avenue was quiet Sunday when The Weekly Post visited. The front yard appeared freshly mowed, but the back yard was overgrown with weeds and was in general disarray.

An orange abatement notice was posted on the front door of the house. A green village notice to remove an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle was pasted on the car parked in the driveway.

Reaction from neighbors was pretty much unanimous, according to Shannon Lucas, who resides near Mueller.

“She runs a grooming place. You never would have expected that,” Lucas said. “I think it’s like shock – just flat-out shock. You don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors.”

Lucas said Mueller once provided her with a crate for four kittens she had acquired. Lucas said she heard dogs barking occasionally on Mueller’s property but nothing unusual. Another neighbor, who declined to identify herself, said she has used Mueller’s grooming service for her dogs.

“She did an excellent job,” the woman said. “I never had a problem with her. … She was really good – friendly, everything.

“I’m praying for her, because I think something went terribly wrong. That’s how I’m looking at it.”