Accused dog killer wants charges dropped

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February 24, 2009

By STEWART WARREN swarren@scn1.com
JOLIET — A man accused of killing his dog and burying it in a nearby alley wants his animal abuse charges thrown out of court.

Will County Judge Amy Bertani Tomczak will hold a 9:30 a.m. April 24 hearing on the issue.

Timothy A. Wallisch, 30, of the 300 block of South Hebbard Street, Joliet, works as a carpenter. He was arrested in June 2007 and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony, and cruel treatment of animals, a misdemeanor. He has been accused of throwing the pet, a pit bull named Buster, over a fence. Neighbors apparently complained about Wallisch's alleged cruel treatment of the animal.

The dog's bloody, badly beaten body was later found in a shallow grave in the alley between Hebbard and Siegmund streets. When a Plainfield veterinarian examined Buster's body, he found skull fractures, brain damage and shredded plastic inside the stomach.

His lawyers filed paperwork in court arguing that his right to a speedy trial had been violated. To explain in simple terms, once that is requested, the state has 160 days to try a case. They also claimed state prosecutors had misused the powers of a grand jury while investigating the case.

Represented by Ken Zelazo, Wallisch appeared in Bertani's courtroom. Wallisch spent the entire time in court hugging a dirty, red heart-shaped pillow to his chest.

During one part of the proceedings, Will County Assistant State's Attorney Nicole Moore told the judge that Wallisch's lawyers needed to provide more of an explanation. They didn't specify who had violated the powers of the grand jury or how that had happened.

"They are making all these allegations about what other state's attorneys have done in the office," Moore said.

After a brief argument, Zelazo told the judge he would be more specific, but he needed some time.

"If your honor would give us two weeks," he said.

When Wallish left, he remained on the fourth floor of the courthouse for some time, chiding his young daughter as she ran up and down the hallway. He never let go of the pillow.