Ottumwa Police are investigating a case of animal hoarding at 525 Rochester Road, in which over 90 dogs and cats were being kept at the property.

Jeff Williams, Animal Control officer for the Ottumwa Police Department, responded to a complaint about the animals shortly after 10 AM Thursday. Upon arrival, Williams found sixty-four cats, located in cages and pens in a garage.  An additional amount of up to twenty cats and nine dogs were found inside the house. Many of the cats were diseased and at least 13 were euthanized by a veterinarian.  Most of the animals were removed and placed with other shelters or other people.

The home is owned and occupied by 72-year-old Sue Davis, who is on the board of directors for Heartland Humane Society in Ottumwa. Jean Sporer, President of Heartland’s board of directors did not return calls and was not available for comment.

Sources who asked to remain anonymous, said they believed the animals were “overflow” from Heartland Humane Society. When asked, Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark said, at the time he did not know where the animals came from.

Sandy Hudeck, a former manager of the facility said, “No animals were sent to her house when I was the manager. I wouldn’t allow it.”

Several former board members of Heartland Humane Society told KLEE and TOM-FM News their decisions to resign from the board were at largely in part due to the animal shelters “no kill policy,” which lead to a consistent problem of over population at the facility.  One former board member said, “You can’t save every animal, and many of the animals out there have been there too long. Some are just un-adoptable, but they keep them anyway.”

Davis was charged with one count of Sanitation of Premises, and one count of Number of Animals Restricted. Both charges are simple misdemeanors and Davis was released on her own recognizance. Clark said the investigation is continuing.

Homeowner Sue Davis stands in her driveway Thursday morning at 525 Rochester Road, while police investigate. Over 90 dogs and cats were found in the home and garage.

(Photo Tom Palen)