Vet testifies two dogs removed from home of woman accused of animal abuse had severe medical issues

CEDAR RAPIDS – A veterinarian testified Tuesday that two dogs removed from the home of Jennifer Wood in February were in severe physical condition and one of them had a life threatening condition.

Murphy, a 1-year-old poodle, had an elevated heart rate indicating shock, an infection that affected his entire body and he had puncture wounds all over his body – too numerous to count, said Dr. Elizabeth Streeter, of Eastern Iowa Veterinarian Specialty Center in Cedar Rapids.

The other dog, a dachshund named Olive, 10, had urine and fecal scalding to her posterior – like a chemical burn to the skin, a urinary tract infection, severe skin irritations, ulcerations on her anus and hind legs, which left the underlying skin exposed and bleeding. Olive also was underweight at 8 pounds.

Wood, 36, is charged with 35 counts of animal abuse and two counts of unhealthy and unsanitary conditions after officials seized 32 dogs, two cats and a parrot from her home at 308 30

^th

St. Dr. SE on Feb. 17.

The trial in Linn County Associate District Court started Monday and continues this week. The case isn't going as quickly as attorneys first thought. The City will finish up its case Wednesday and then the defense will begin.

Streeter said Murphy and Olive were the only animals brought to the clinic for medical care that were removed from Wood's home. The clinic provides emergency critical care to the City when needed.

Murphy had a large, deep laceration in his right foreleg, around what would be the armpit area in a human, which affected his ability to walk. His other severe injury was a large puncture wound over one of his eyes. These two injuries were infected and if not treated could have led to damage of organs and eye disabilities.

“I could smell the infection…it's distinct like something rotting,” Streeter said.

“Like meat rotting,” Assistant Cedar Rapids City Attorney Liz Jacobi asked.

“Yes,” Streeter said.

Streeter said the numerous puncture wounds were consistent with bite wounds. The larger wounds were consistent with dog fighting. The wounds could have happened at various times but none were less than 48 hours old.

The defense has attempted to show during cross examination that Wood may have been away from home, which explains the unsanitary conditions of the house that animal discovered during a search.

Olive had back surgery to repair a ruptured disc about eight weeks before she was removed from Wood's home, Streeter said. She didn't receive proper care and rehabilitation because she had limited movement, had lost weight, had problems urinating and her fur which was shaved for surgery hadn't grown back.

“She couldn't have had appropriate nutrition,” Streeter said. “When her nutrition improved she had hair growth. She has improved motor function now but she still has bladder problems. We've tried different medications and that may never come back.”

In earlier testimony, Rodney Shifflett, former Cedar Rapids Police officer, testified about photos he took which depicted feces on the floors throughout the home and several cages or kennels that contained dogs. He said there was also urine on the floors and the odor made his eyes water.

“It wasn't a normal smell in a house,” Shifflett said.

In the photos, bags of dog food were visible but Shifflett said some of them contained feces and other garbage. He didn't know if any had dog food in them. There wasn't any dog food or water in the bowls that were throughout the house.