Animal Rescue League of Iowa officials said their team assisted in removing animals from “terrible conditions” at an unlicensed breeder in southeast Iowa.The rescue effort happened in Lee County Monday. ARL officials said 42 dogs and puppies were crammed into filthy cages at the home. Nearly every room in the house was packed with dogs and puppies in wire cages – everything from Great Danes and Weimaraners to dachshunds and corgis. The cages were stacked on top of each other, sometimes with 2 or 3 adult dogs to a cage, or moms with litters of puppies barely able to move. They were living in their own waste and the smell of urine was overpowering,” ARL officials said in a social media post.The rescue team removed the dogs and transported them back to Des Moines for examination, vaccination and treatment.“Our animal care team worked into the evening to get the dogs settled into warm, clean beds with full bowls of fresh food and water and immediately sent the most vulnerable – moms with nursing puppies – to foster homes for round-the-clock care,” ARL officials said.The ARL said many of the dogs were thin, with rotten teeth and were crawling with fleas. Most will need spay/neuter surgeries.There was no immediate word on charges in relation to the rescue operation.Check the KCCI Breaking News and Weather App for updates on this developing story.
Animal Rescue League of Iowa officials said their team assisted in removing animals from “terrible conditions” at an unlicensed breeder in southeast Iowa.
The rescue effort happened in Lee County Monday. ARL officials said 42 dogs and puppies were crammed into filthy cages at the home.
Nearly every room in the house was packed with dogs and puppies in wire cages – everything from Great Danes and Weimaraners to dachshunds and corgis. The cages were stacked on top of each other, sometimes with 2 or 3 adult dogs to a cage, or moms with litters of puppies barely able to move. They were living in their own waste and the smell of urine was overpowering,” ARL officials said in a social media post.
The rescue team removed the dogs and transported them back to Des Moines for examination, vaccination and treatment.
“Our animal care team worked into the evening to get the dogs settled into warm, clean beds with full bowls of fresh food and water and immediately sent the most vulnerable – moms with nursing puppies – to foster homes for round-the-clock care,” ARL officials said.
The ARL said many of the dogs were thin, with rotten teeth and were crawling with fleas. Most will need spay/neuter surgeries.
There was no immediate word on charges in relation to the rescue operation.
Check the KCCI Breaking News and Weather App for updates on this developing story.
