Will County prosecutors request jail for Joliet man charged with dog torture

Prosecutors are seeking to jail a Joliet man charged with the May 19 torture and cruel treatment of a bull terrier named Nibbles.

On Thursday, a petition to deny pretrial release was filed against Giovanny Aguilar, 36. A grand jury has indicted Aguilar on charges of animal torture, aggravated cruelty and cruelty to animals.

Officers investigating the incident arrested Aguilar on May 19 and released him after giving him a notice to appear in court. Aguilar is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Monday.

In the petition, Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff Brown argued that Aguilar is eligible for jail because he is charged with felony violations of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act.

Brown’s petition also noted that Aguilar previously was convicted of child pornography and battery.

On May 19, witnesses told Joliet police officers that they saw Aguilar kick the bull terrier named Nibbles many times in the backyard of Aguilar’s residence on Croghan Street.

One witness was asleep and was awakened by Aguilar’s screaming, according to Brown’s petition. The witness looked out the window and claimed to have seen Aguilar grabbing and throwing Nibbles.

The witness said Nibbles did not fight back, according to Brown’s petition.

Afterward, the witness allegedly saw Aguilar kick Nibbles “with great force and violence,” according to Brown’s petition.

Officers investigating the incident obtained video that showed Aguilar kicking the dog, according to Brown’s petition.

“Nibbles had to be euthanized after a severe medical situation,” according to Brown’s petition.

A necropsy report showed the dog suffered from fractured bones.