By Tim Evans
AN Reporter
One of the largest animal rescue operations ever recorded in Muscatine County history took place last Monday, June 17, as the investigative team from the Muscatine County Sheriff’s office delivered a search warrant on a home on the west end fringe of the city of Muscatine, where 67 animals were removed.
Sgt. Jacob McCleary said no charges have been filed thus far by the Muscatine County state's attorney but expects action in the “next couple of weeks” on the home owners who housed a variety of animals including dogs, cats and birds inside and outside the property in the animal neglect case.
After gathering information over an undisclosed period of time, McCleary and two other deputies issued the warrant to remove the animals, most of which were inside the home. Assisted by six members of Muscatine based “It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources (ITAVARR),” the deputies removed 65 live animals and two deceased critters from the premises. Muscatine County animal control officer Courtney Patel was also called into duty at the residence, along with a uniformed officer.
Due to the conditions of the interior of the residence, where a family was staying, the house was posted as being unsafe for human occupancy.
All the animals were thoroughly checked by animal medical personnel, including a veterinarian, at ITAVARR, where they are being housed and cared for, according to It Takes a Village president Meagan Koehler, who said it was double the largest rescue her non-profit mission has ever participated.
She said you never know what kind of abuse or neglect is lurking not only in rural areas, but also within a big city like Muscatine.
She said her mission had to get special licenses from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in order to process the animals, noting her facility was only licensed previously to handle dogs and cats.
The sheriff’s department said the investigation is ongoing and praised the personnel from ITAVARR for their work and dedication to animal rescue, providing law enforcement with the resources to conduct these types of cases and “being a great community partner.”
Koehler, who said the largest previous animal neglect case she was involved in was 30 animals, praised the sheriff’s office and Sheriff Quinn Reiss for pursuing the case, noting there are a lot of other counties who process animal rights cases. She said a plea deal was made in that previous case, but didn’t expect any kind of a “deal” in his incident, where there were not only signs of neglect but possible illegal breeding practices. Koehler said a breeder has to be licensed to sell animals and the household raided had no such license.
With her mission starving for revenue, Koehler said an Amazon wish list has been set up for the rescued animals, noting It Takes a Village is seeking monetary donations to help feed and obtain supplies for the animals. She said the lady at the investigated household intends to “get the animals back” and ITAVARR said it wasn’t sure how long they would have to house the animals since the investigation is continuing.
“We’ve seen nothing but cooperation and a sense of community from our sheriff’s department,” said Koehler concerning animal rescue, pointing out she couldn’t say enough good things about the deputies and their leaders. “I’m so impressed,” she added.