April 29, 2024
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Friends organize ‘Justice for Ludwig’ candlelight vigil

Organizer: ’Dogs’ lives do matter’

By Brenda Schory

Joe Petit with his surviving dog, Philo, at his Wayne home. Philo's brother and littermate, Ludwig was killed by a bullet, allegedly shot by Petit’s neighbor, Hal Phipps, husband of Wayne Village President Eileen Phipps. (Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com)

WAYNE – Friends of the man whose dog was shot to death in Wayne last month are hosting a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Friday at River Bend Community Park, 6N517 Geneva Ave., St. Charles Township.

It is the latest action in a Justice for Ludwig movement, named for the dog that was shot. People have “Justice for Ludwig” signs on their lawns and parkways and are posting their support through social media and on a Justice for Ludwig Facebook page.

“It’s a celebration of life for Ludwig. … Dogs’ lives do matter,” organizer Marnie Schoeler said. “It’s a candlelight vigil to bring the community together to fight for justice in this situation.”

Signs line a street near Joe Petit's home business in honor of Petit's beloved dog, Ludwig, who was killed by a bullet, allegedly shot by Petit’s neighbor, Hal Phipps, husband of Wayne Village President Eileen Phipps. (Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com)

Hal Phipps, husband of Wayne Village President Eileen Phipps, shot his neighbor’s dog, Ludwig Aug. 10, officials said.

Phipps said the dog, a Dogo Argentino, was behaving aggressively towards him on his property while Ludwig’s owner, Joe Petit, said Ludwig and his littermate, Philotimo, were chasing sticks in the river when he was shot, according to officials.

Reached by phone after the shooting, Phipps said he had no comment.

Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said today that prosecutors were close on making a decision on whether charges would be filed.

“There is a person who recently came to the attention of the sheriff’s department who may have witnessed a portion of it and we’re just waiting for that person to be interviewed,” Mosser said at a media monthly briefing Tuesday.

“The sheriff and I have both been intently reviewing everything because we do want to make sure the right decision is made on this,” Mosser said. “We are working very hard to do so, including visiting the scene.”

Kane County