Chicago area woman who fatally stabbed dog sentenced to 1 year in prison

JOLIET, Ill. - A Crestwood woman who fatally stabbed a dog in the southwest suburbs last year was sentenced to one year in prison.

Tamica Neal, 45, had been convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Tamica Neal, 45, of Crestwood | Provided by the Will County State's Attorney's Office

Altercation leads to stabbing

What we know:

Back on March 17, 2024, the Crest Hill Police Department was dispatched to the 1900 block of North Hickory Street for a disturbance involving Neal and her boyfriend, prosecutors said.

Witnesses said when they attempted to break up the altercation, Neal ran out of the bedroom to the kitchen. She then grabbed a knife and swung it at a victim.

The owner of the home where Neal was staying had a female dog. Prosecutors said Neal stabbed the dog multiple times and killed it.

Neal was eligible to be sentenced to probation or one to three years in prison. She’ll receive a 17-day credit for time served.

Prosecutors said Neal’s history of using a knife during altercations was taken into consideration during the sentencing hearing.

What they're saying:

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, a longtime advocate for animal rights, talked about the importance of protecting animals in criminal cases.

"Protecting animals helps all of us," he said. "That is why I wrote the Illinois Animal Torture Statute, which created the first felony charge in the State for the abuse and torture of animals as well as founded the Animal Protection Unit in the State’s Attorney’s Office to prosecute cases of animal abuse and neglect."