Some of the 90 animals found last week at the Ottumwa residence of Sue Davis.

Photo provided by the Ottumwa Police Department

Story by Tom Palen

“The bottom line is people need to spay and neuter their animals and that better be the focus of your story,” said Sue Davis in response to citations she received last week for keeping too many animals at her home. Davis was charged with a sanitation violation and restriction of animals violation, after police found over 90 dogs and cats at her home at 525 West Rochester on November 18.

Davis, who is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Heartland Humane Society, said she felt it was unfair that the media was trying to associate this incident with Heartland Humane Society, stating “They had nothing to do with this.”

Referring to her home as an “unofficial shelter,” Davis said she got the animals on referrals from Heartland Humane Society. “When they were too full, they would tell people to call me, and if I had room, I would take them.” 

President of Heartland Humane Society Jean Sporer, said in Davis’ defense, “Sue was only helping those animals.” Sporer referred to Davis as both a board member and a longtime friend of Heartland Humane Society and feels she should be commended and praised for her service and compassion in taking care of these animals.

Sporer discredited the police report, saying there were not as many animals as reported at Davis’ house and the animals that were there were never neglected. The Ottumwa Police report stated many of the cats were diseased and at least 13 were euthanized by a veterinarian. Sporer said the cats were put to sleep in vain and that they just had the sniffles or a cold. Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark said, “I think the vet knows the difference between a cat with a cold and a diseased cat.”

KLEE and TOM-FM news were repeatedly told of an alleged “farm” that existed where Heartland Humane Society would keep overflow animals, but no one seemed to know where the farm was. Sporer said she had never heard of such a place, and if such a place ever existed, Heartland Humane Society did not know about it. “We do not condone anyone hoarding or collecting animals.”

Wapello County Supervisor, Jerry Parker, confirmed in 2003 county officials investigated and removed a large number of animals from 12378 Keb Lane. The home is listed as being owned by Barbara A. Hoover and Thelma Louise Allen.

According to Allen, Hoover was an original board member for Heartland Humane Society until they made her a lifetime honorary member in 2004.

Parker recalled it was about 85 or more animals taken from the property during their investigation in August 2003. Parker said the county followed a Heartland Humane Society van to the residence daily taking feed to the animals. 

Davis denied any of the animals from the 2003 investigation belonged to Heartland Humane Society. “Every one of those dogs belonged to Sue Davis. Heartland didn’t know they were here and they did not provide any food for my dogs,” Davis said.

Sporer said Heartland Humane Society did provide some food for the animals kept on Keb lane in 2003, and they also provided some pet food to Davis to feed the animals on Rochester Road.

Parker said as a result of the situation on Keb Lane in 2003, Wapello County created an ordinance which prohibits people from keeping more than 12 dogs without a license or permit. Parker added that last weeks incident on Rochester road is going to require the county to reconsider their policy on stray animals.

Watch for more on this story coming to the TOM FM website. 

One of the dogs found at the Davis residence in Ottumwa.

Photo provided by the Ottumwa Police Department