88 dogs rescued from Western Iowa commercial breeder
Mackenzie Paulson, of the Anamosa Veterinary Clinic, examines one of 16 Cocker Spaniels rescued from a commercial breeding facility in Western Iowa Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, brought to the Cedar Valley Human Society, 7411 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, in Cedar Rapids. A total of 88 dogs were removed from the facility by the Sac County Sheriff’s Office and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, based in Des Moines. (Emily Busse/SourceMedia Group News)
CEDAR RAPIDS – An army of volunteers and groomers, and an Anamosa veterinarian, are working a late night with 16 of 88 Cocker Spaniels rescued from “deplorable conditions,” authorities said.
The Sac County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant Wednesday for an animal “hoarding situation” at an unidentified commercial breeding facility in Western Iowa, where they, along with Des Moines-based Animal Rescue League of Iowa, removed the dogs living in unhealthy conditions, Bob Citrullo said, executive director of the Cedar Valley Humane Society.
The league collaborated with four Iowa animal shelters, including the non-profit Cedar Rapids shelter located at 7411 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, to examine, vaccinate and clean the dogs who were living in a contained environment causing suffering from ear and eye infections, lesions and sores from filth, fleas, skin conditions and severe dental disease, said Mackenzie Paulson said of the Anamosa Veterinary Clinic.
“These animals are in bad shape,” said Citrullo, later noting this is a “substantial situation” of animal neglect.
The adult dogs, mostly Cocker Spaniels, were transported to the shelters in Cedar Rapids, Boone, Carroll and Sioux City and 18 remained at the ARL in Des Moines for veterinary care, according to a news release.
All of 16 Spaniels at Cedar Valley appeared to be entirely matted and covered in feces, and Paulson, the lone veterinarian of the night examining the dogs, said some of them appeared
Executive Director Bob Citrullo of the Cedar Valley Humane Society
to be pregnant.
Fortunately, Citrullo said none of the Spaniels were aggressive with the rescuers.
“This is great step in the direction of getting them adopted,” he said.
The Cedar Valley Humane Society is providing shelter for the dogs during the ongoing investigation, but Citrullo said medical expenses will be taxing – possibly $500 per Spaniel – which is why the area shelters divided their efforts to mitigate costs, Citrullo said.
“We had a really great response from our volunteers,” said CVHS Communications Director Jan Clarke, grateful for the 20 volunteers, and also local groomers with Pawsitive Paws Academy and Gwen’s Pet Grooming.
Charges are forthcoming, Citrullo said, but little further information was available on the investigation Wednesday night.
The CVHS, which operates solely on donations, is seeking monetary donations from the community. More information can be found on their Web site.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is also seeking donations, and dry dog and puppy food. More information can be found on their Web site: www.arl-iowa.org.
