MUSCATINE, Iowa–A dispositional proceeding took place in Muscatine County Court Tuesday (Feb. 8) in regards to 28 dogs and one cat that were rescued January 9 from a camper on a rural Muscatine County property.

The court granted a Petition for Disposition and deemed the animals involved in this case threatened. The court ordered the Muscatine County Sheriff’s office dispose of the 27 of the dogs and the cat by releasing custody of those animals to It Takes A Village Animal Rescue and Resources out of Muscatine.

The court allowed one dog to return to its owner based on stipulations agreed to by the owner, which include spaying the dog and payment of associated costs, proof of a stable and secure home for the dog with an initial welfare check conducted by It Takes A Village Animal Rescue and Resources prior to the release of the dog to the owner, and a bimonthly welfare check on the dog for the next one year.

The owner must also notify the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office of any change in residency and, if that residency sits outside of Muscatine County, the owner will be subject to welfare checks by a similar organization or group to assure compliance.

The court charged Stephanie Dawn Harrison, 46, of Muscatine, Wednesday (Feb. 9) with one count of Animal Neglect Causing Serious Injury (aggravated misdemeanor), one count of Animal Neglect Causing Injury (serious misdemeanor), and one count of Animal Neglect (simple misdemeanor).

A criminal complaint merely represents an accusation and the law presumes the defendant innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.