225 Animals Rescued from Unlicensed Animal Breeder in Iowa

225 animals were rescued by the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) from an unlicensed animal breeder in the state this week.

This is an addition to the previous rescue of dogs and hamsters in Iowa back in February, increasing the total number of rescued animals to more than 300 within a month.

Search Warrant and Arrest

(Photo : Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images)

Local authorities arrested two people at their property in Lee County, Iowa, on Tuesday, March 15.

The police charged the owners with animal neglect under the existing animal protection law and regulations of Iowa, as per KHQA news.

The arrest was made after an initial search warrant on the suspects' property was conducted on February 22, when detectives from the Lee County Criminal Investigation Division made their first search warrant of the property due to alleged reports of animal neglect.

The detectives at that time had only warned the two suspects named David Sams and Gina Sams to clean up and organize their property for the animals.

The second search warrant on Tuesday found that the property owners failed to do as they were instructed.

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Animal Neglect

The latest rescue of the 225 animals consists of barn animals, dogs, reptiles, and other small animals, according to KCRG news.

The ARL stated that around 100 barn animals, such as chickens, donkeys, goats, geese, peacocks, turkeys, a pig, and a small horse were those among the rescued.

Meanwhile, the initial search of the same property in Lee County led to the rescue of 42 dogs and 41 hamsters.

The animal rescue organization stated the animals were living in dire conditions, including the lack of basic sustenance, such as food, water, and hygiene, as per KCRG.

Some of the dog breeds included Great Danes, Dachshunds, Corgis, and Weimaraner.

The animals were confined in a tight space which prevented them to move freely. Furthermore, some of them had to live with their waste inside their cages.

Following the rescue, the ARL treated the animals and had them vaccinated for potential health hazards, including fleas and potential diseases, caused by the poor sanitary conditions.

The organization is also asking for help for donations and for voluntary adoption of the rescued animals.

US Animal Welfare Act

According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), the Animal Welfare Act signed into law in 1966 is the sole and primary federal animal protection law in the United States.

However, the implementation and enaction of this law go down to the state level-where most animal protection legislation happens.

The ALDF also emphasized that some cities and counties in the US can pass their own ordinances consisting of status and regulations concerning the protection of animals.

While local laws for animal protection differ in some states, the main foundation and core values remain the same.

In Iowa, the animal protection law is almost the same as the federal animal protection law wherein all animals must be given food, water, and the necessary care.

In addition, cats and dogs must be provided with adequate shelter, according to the ARL.

Moreover, the ARL states that animal abuse and animal neglect are considered a violation of the state's law.

Acts such as injuring, killing, maiming, and mutilating an animal fall under animal abuse. Meanwhile, failing to provide animals with proper care and basic needs is classified as animal neglect.

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