MUSCATINE, Iowa–Tuesday, Jan.18, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office began investigating allegations of animal neglect. The complaint, brought forward by and with information obtained by It Takes A Village Animal Rescue and Resources out of Muscatine, alleged a female lived in a camper on a property with dozens of dogs and one cat, and that the camper was uninhabitable due its condition. Based on the information obtained and corroborated by the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, a State of Iowa search warrant was applied for and obtained.

On Wed., Jan. 19, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Muscatine County Zoning Office and It Takes A Village Rescue and Resources, executed the search warrant at the property and on the camper identified in the allegation.

Upon arrival, a single drop cord was found running from the residence on the property to the camper, and the windows on the camper were iced over. Upon entry, investigators found 28 dogs and one cat located throughout the camper. They confirmed the camper uninhabitable due to the amount of feces and the subsequent odor from the feces. Muscatine County Zoning provided property owners notice that they deemed the trailer on the property a dangerous building unsafe for human occupancy. Investigators noted neither of the property owners matched the description of the female identified as living in the trailer and possessing the animals.

Pursuant to Iowa Code 717B.5, which outlines the rescue of threatened animals, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office contracted with It Takes A Village Animal Rescue and Resources for the maintenance of the rescued animals. It Takes a Village Animal Rescue and Resources will care for and house the animals until dispositional proceedings take place in Muscatine County Court.

This investigation remains ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office may release further details upon its completion.