Three southwest Iowan were arrested and a fourth person was put in protective custody after a weekend raid at a home in rural Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials says 83 cats, 79 dogs and various other creatures were seized from a home near Stanton, early Friday morning.
The animals, and an 85-year old woman were living in what Sheriff Tony Updegrove described as “unbelievably deplorable” conditions. The conditions were so bad, rescue workers and investigators were forced to wear protective masks while gathering evidence at the scene.
Arrested at the home were Linda and Cheryl Lillie, and Robert Eirhart, of rural Stanton. The trio face 176-counts of animal neglect. All three faced similar charges after a raid four-years ago. They avoided prosecution though, by relinquishing custody of the animals.
A dispatcher at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office said today they’ve received numerous calls from people wanting to adopt the animals, but it will be several days before they will be made available, because they were covered in feces and various insects, and are in the process of being cleaned-up and their health evaluated.