UPDATED 1:40 P.M.
PEORIA, Ill. – Seven dogs were found abandoned in a boat on the Illinois River on Wednesday behind Peoria’s RiverPlex Center.
Peoria firefighters and Fon du Lac Park Police went to a 32 foot cabin cruiser that was anchored in the channel around 5:15 p.m., on a request to check for passengers.
Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger says crews immediately detected a foul smell, and discovered one of the dogs in the boat was dead.
Rescuers found six others who were still alive, in kennels, and emaciated.
The breed of the dogs was not known, and the fire chief said authorities don’t know yet who owns the boat.
Both Peoria Fire and Police are still investigating.
