Warren County sheriff’s deputies, backed up by volunteers from neighboring Henderson County, have been combing farmland south of Kirkwood since last Friday after a string of reports about two large, aggressive dogs roaming the countryside. Neighbors say the pair have gone after pets and livestock, and an April report alleging a killing pushed authorities to launch a coordinated search. Residents are being urged to steer clear of the animals and treat any sighting as a serious safety concern.
Search area and description
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office has narrowed the search to a roughly rectangular area south of Kirkwood. From west to east, the target zone runs from about 50th Street to near U.S. 67, and from south to north it stretches from approximately 140th Avenue to 160th Avenue, with particular attention on the 300–600 block of 150th Street.
Authorities say they are looking for a black pit bull with a white chest and a black Cane Corso. A concentrated sweep of the area began around 5:30 a.m. last Friday with help from aircraft. Volunteer predator-control teams then took over after dark, running night surveillance when daytime passes turned up no sign of the dogs, according to 977wmoi.
“The first report of them actually killing was in April,” Warren County animal-control officer Becca Livingston said, noting she started getting calls about the dogs back in February and has not been able to track them down. Livingston told 977wmoi that she is working with only a catch pole for equipment and that the sheriff’s office is leading the investigation. Because the search zone sits close to the county line, the department has been coordinating efforts with Henderson County.
How residents can help
Officials are asking residents to stay out of the active search area, not to try to capture the animals and to keep personal drones away from the scene so they do not interfere with law-enforcement operations. Anyone who spots either dog is urged to call Monmouth Dispatch immediately at 309‑734‑8383. That non-emergency number is listed on the Warren County Sheriff’s Office website.
Legal framework
Under Illinois law, counties can label dogs as “dangerous” or “vicious” after an investigation. Those designations can trigger requirements such as secure enclosures, spay or neuter orders, microchipping and fines. The Animal Legal & Historical Center provides an overview of the state’s Animal Control Act and the typical county procedures for handling dangerous- or vicious-dog cases.
As of the most recent updates, deputies say the dogs still have not been located, and patrols in the area are continuing. Authorities emphasize that tips, photos or video from the public could be key to finding the animals and again urge anyone with information to contact Monmouth Dispatch right away.
