Hamill Headed Back to Court With New Attorney

Though details weren't immediately clear, the owner of a Tinley Park animal rescue convicted of violating her duties will be back in a Markham courtroom on Thursday, Oct. 18.

Cook County Circuit Court records show that Dawn Hamill, 43, filed a motion to substitute an attorney in the case. Hamill is scheduled to appear in Judge Anna Helen Demacopolous' court.

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It is unknown if Purav Bhatt, the attorney who had been representing her, is no longer working on the case. Bhatt was not immediately available for comment Wednesday afternoon.

Hamill was charged with eight misdemeanor counts of violating owner's duties and two counts of animal cruelty in connection to the condition animals were found in during a a on Painted Pastures. Eight puppies were reportedly found in cold, filthy conditions, leading to her Sept. 14 conviction of the violation of owner's duties charges. The animal cruelty charges she was acquitted on were related to a miniature horse and Himalayan cat found dead on the property.

READ: Agency Removes Animals From Painted Pastures

She was sentenced on Oct. 2 and ordered to serve a year of probation, enroll in a 30-day county work program and pay $8,000 in fines. Demacopolous also ordered that Hamill surrender all but up to five personal animals pending a psychological evaluation. A day after sentencing, the Animal Welfare League removed animals from Hamill's property.

Hamill was scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8 for status. It was not immediately confirmed what prompted Thursday's hearing.

Go to Our Section on Dawn Hamill for Complete Coverage of the Case.

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