Monday, September 13, 2010

Officials seize animals, animal corpses from home

LEE HERMISTON

The Iowa Animal Care and Adoption Center has taken legal action to protect several animals seized from an Iowa City home.

According to a three-page petition filed Wednesday by Assistant Johnson County Attorney Anne Lahey, Iowa City Animal Control officer Chris Whitmore went Sept. 2 to 2816 Wayne Ave. to conduct a general inspection for licensing and animals. Whitmore attempted to make contact with the resident, Susan Vess, but initially was unable to do so.

Documents state Whitmore was able to observe cats within an attached porch being kept in "very unsanitary conditions." One of the cats appeared sick and was in "severe distress," according to court documents. Vess, who owns the house, eventually came to the door and Whitmore expressed concern for the cat, which was described as "catatonic, severely dehydrated ... and appeared near death."

The cat died shortly after arriving at the Eastside Veterinary Clinic..." More

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