A cat found in a hoarding investigation by OPD on Rochester Road November 18

(Photo provided by the Ottumwa Police Department)

Story by Tom palen

“We may be partly to blame because of our policy on animals.” Jerry Parker, Wapello County Supervisor’s said in response to the animal hoarding investigation of Sue Davis on Rochester Road in Ottumwa November, 18.

Parker said Wapello County does not pick up stray animals, but when county residents find strays, the county will pay for five days of boarding allowing time for the pet owner to claim their animal. The animals are boarded at Eastview Animal Hospital on Bladensburg Road, in Ottumwa. After five days the clinic has the option to give away, or euthanize each animal.

Since January 1, 2010 Wapello County has paid boarding for 54 dogs and 38 cats. According to Parker, seven dogs and four cats were claimed by owners, six dogs and one cat were euthanized. The remaining 41 dogs and 33 cats were given to a representative of Heartland Human Society.

Heartland Humane Society President Jean Sporer said the dogs were frequently sent to other shelters out of state for adoption. She said the cats were never picked up by Heartland Humane Society. Sporer said they would sometimes call other people to see if they could take the cats. When asked if Sue Davis had taken any of the cats to her home on Rochester Road, Sporer said, “She might have taken some. I really don’t know. You would have to ask Sue. The cats never belonged to us.”

Dr. Jan Tallman, DVM with Eastview Animal Hospital said privacy becomes an issue when discussing where the animals go after leaving their clinic. Tallman said the cats and dogs were picked up from their facility by representatives of Heartland Human Society, but she could not say where the animals were placed after that.

The city of Ottumwa has a full time animal control officer who does pick up stray dogs and cats. Those animals are taken to Ottumwa Veterinary Clinic on North Court. Dr. Todd Williams, DVM said when the city brings animals in; they are checked for contagious diseases. If the animal is sick, it with be euthanized. Healthy animals are kept for seven days giving the owner time claim their pet. After 5 days anyone can claim a dog or cat by paying the veterinarian, boarding and city fees. The city does take measures to assure animals are not taken by collectors.

Ottumwa Police Chief, Jim Clark said, the city has been putting down far less animals compared to their old policy where only the original owner could claim the animal. If it was not claimed within seven days it was destroyed. Clark said the city would like to utilize the services of Heartland Humane Society, but because they are always full and do not have room to take in animals, the city has to take them else where.

Parker said Wapello County would also use Heartland Humane Society services, but again, their consistent full capacity causes the county to use another service.

Sporer said Heartland’s “no kill” policy is not the problem. The reason the shelter is always at full capacity is because people fail to spay and neuter their animals.

Parker said the county may need to re-evaluate it policy and possibly stop boarding cats. “When the humane society can’t take them, and nobody wants them, there is a potential the cats may end up with a collector like Davis. We don’t want to be contributing to that.” Parker said.

Stray cats tend to run and hunt alone feeding on rodents and birds. Dogs tend to form packs and will hunt cows, sheep and farm animals. “The cats don’t present the same danger as dogs, to live stock and personal property.” Parker said the board of supervisor will discuss and possibly take action on changing the county ordinance at next Tuesday’s meeting.

In our final segment of this story we will look at animal behavior and how it is affected by long term caging and shelter health.

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