King Neptune’s Pet World
707 W Jefferson St
Shorewood, IL 60404
815-725-2666
Date and time of CAPS investigation: 3-1-25; 1410
Approximate number of dogs observed at time of investigation: 12 puppies
The store had about 10 puppy enclosures in it. Each was a raised pen, about four feet wide and long, with solid, clear walls and solid floorings covered in wood shavings. Not all pens had puppies, but those that did contained about one to three puppies each. Occupied enclosures had water dishes in toys in them.
One enclosure had a sign on it that read, “NEW RESCUES COMING SOON.” I asked a woman, who identified herself as the store manager, Jessica, what the sign meant. She said that the store calls puppies from breeders “rescues” because the puppies are finding permanent homes.
I asked the manager about the store’s breeders, and she said that they don’t buy from puppy mills. She claimed they use hobby breeders that have fewer than four breeding dogs and some larger breeders in the Midwest, but said those are licensed and have no violations on their records at all. The only specific information Jessica offered about breeding dogs was to claim that the dogs are not kept in cages. I asked to see breeder information about a Morkie, and I was shown an International Canine Association form that read, “Breeder or Previous Owner: Brian Lichirie.”
Breeder information during store investigation
Brian Lichirie, 2329 Hwy 16, West Point, IA 52656, 42-B-0317, 59 dogs and 257 puppies at 2/13/25 USDA inspection
Evidence of lies and misrepesentations from the store:
The manager’s claim that selling commercial bred puppies for profit is rescuing the puppies is a lie. It is the exact opposite, because it keeps puppy mills in business and damn the breeding dogs to confinement and neglect so the breeders can profit from them.
Brian Lichirie’s 2/13/25 USDA inspection report lists 59 dogs and 257 puppies. Lichirie is known for receiving pregnant females and puppies from relative Steve Kruse, whose facility (42-B-0182) and home are on adjoining property located at 2345 Hwy 16 in West Point, Iowa. Lichirie’s home address is 2345 Hwy 16, and his email is briankruse@hotmail.com
Kruse’ ex-wife, Michelle, who changed her name to Gealea Nichols, operated a large puppy mill (42-B-0294) at 2329 Hwy. 16 until cancelling her license shortly after Lichirie took over the operation. Kruse owns the property on which Lichirie operates his puppy mill and may actually own Lichirie’s business.
Kruse owns another facility that is operated by Wuanita Swedlund (42-B-0340) in Farmington Iowa. USDA cited her on 12/21/21 for nine violations, including direct violations for six puppies who froze to death and and a one-day-old puppy who required euthanasia after after an attack by a dog from the next-door pen left the puppy with an exposed front leg bone. Swedlund’s 1/4/24 inspection had seven violations, with all but one being repeat non-compliances. Yet, USDA merely had Swedlund decrease the number of dogs from more than 150 to 12 rather than take away her license. It is likely that the surplus dogs went back to Kruse. Even with just eight dogs at her 12/19/24 inspection, she had violations for matted dogs, lack of access to water, and fecal build-up on flooring.
Kruse’s 8/3/24 USDA inspection report lists 493 dogs and cites a violation for food receptacles covered in smeared, dried feces. At his 12/5/23 inspection, he had 502 dogs. Kruse has had as many as 1200 dogs and puppies at three locations and has a history of serious USDA violations. Facilities like those operated by Kruse Lichirie, and Swedlund are exactly what the public has in mind when they imagine puppy mills. The manager’s claim that the store does not buy from mills is false.
King Neptune’s Pet World is violating 225 ILCS 605 by selling puppies
(225 ILCS 605/3.8)
Sec. 3.8. Prohibition Sourcing of dogs and cats sold by pet shops; recordkeeping.
(a) A pet shop operator may offer for sale a dog or cat only if the dog or cat is obtained from an animal control facility or animal shelter, located in-state or out-of-state, that is in compliance with Section 3.9.
