A total of 20 dogs were rescued from a Muscatine home Thursday, September 19, according to Muscatine Animal Control Officer Courtney Patel. The animals were taken to the Muscatine Humane Society where they were cleaned up and received a health examination from a veterinarian.
Patel said that an anonymous tip led the Muscatine Police Department to secure a search warrant for the “rescue of threatened animals” on the premises.
“They were living in horrible conditions,” Patel said. “They were dirty and malnourished.”
The Muscatine Humane Society closed its doors on Thursday to take care of the animals as they were brought in.
Chris McGinnis, Director of the Muscatine Humane Society, kept her staff after hours to help take care of the animals. The facility remained closed on Friday to continue to care for the animals but plans to reopen to the public on Saturday (Sept. 21) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
“Late today we took in 20 dogs, most are large, from a hoarding situation,” McGinnis said in a Facebook post. “We are currently short staffed and we need to examine and assess each dog with our veterinarian and document and photograph our findings. We ask for your understanding while we perform our duties.”
Patel expressed thanks to McGinnis and her staff for accommodating the animals.
“The City will not tolerate neglect or abuse of animals,” Patel said. “Thanks to the anonymous citizen we were able to rescue them and, with the Humane Society’s help, we will be able to find them better homes.”
Hoarding situations are not new to the Muscatine Police Department but there have been an unusual number of situations where a large number of animals were living in dangerous conditions and had to be rescued.
“The most important thing for the public to do is if they see something, say something,” Patel said. “The smell around a home may be the first clue that something is not right, and we again urge citizens to call the police station and we will investigate.”
Ownership of the animals will be determined during a court hearing to be scheduled later. No charges have been filed at the present time but the investigation continues.
Call 563-263-9922 to report any suspicious activity. Callers can identify themselves or remain anonymous.
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