Animals removed from a CR home for abuse are now up for adoption

CEDAR RAPIDS – Most of the 35 animals removed from the home of a woman accused of animal abuse are now available for adoption at the Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control Shelter.

Two of the dogs, a 3-year-old Australian shepherd mix and an older black lab, have already been adopted, Diane Webber, director of Animal Care and Control, said Thursday.

Two other dogs with extensive medical problems, Murphy, a 1-year-old poodle, and Olive, a 10-year-old dachshund, will not be adopted out, Webber said. Murphy requires extensive veterinarian care and Olive has been taken in by a veterinarian, who provided critical care after she was removed.

Jennifer Wood, 36, of Cedar Rapids, who pleaded guilty Wednesday to 35 counts of unhealthy or unsanitary conditions as part of the plea agreement, was allowed to keep one 12-year-old dog that she had raised from a puppy, Webber said.

Wood also was fined $50 for each count and she is not allowed to own, harbor or keep any animals within the Cedar Rapids city limits, according to the plea agreement. The 35 counts of animal abuse were dismissed.

She could also be ordered to pay restitution which will be determined at a hearing July 29.

The civil case against Wood concerning whether Animal Care and Control can take ownership of the animals removed from Wood's home and start adoptions was  settled Wednesday, according to an order filed in Linn County District Court.

[caption id="attachment_244111" align="alignright" width="149" caption="Shelter volunteer Dallas Richart, 17, feeds a pit bull Thursday May 19, 2011 at animal control in Cedar Rapids. The dog was one of several animals seized in a Cedar Rapids animal abuse case. (Becky Malewitz/SourceMedia Group News)"]

A Pitbull gets excited by visitors at Animal control, Thursday May 19, 2011 in Cedar Rapids. The dog was one of several animals seized in a Cedar Rapids animal abuse case. (Becky Malewitz/SourceMedia Group News)

“We are completely satisfied  because it's what's best for the animals,” Webber said.

Webber said the shelter is more than full with 50 animals after taking in five new ones Thursday. The shelter can house 40. Some had to be boarded out after taking in Wood's 35 and those costs will be addressed at the restitution hearing.

Wood accepted a plea after two days of graphic trial testimony regarding two animals suffering from severe physical and life-threatening conditions and the extreme unsanitary conditions of her home.

Animal control officers testified her home “was pretty appalling” with feces and urine covering much of the flooring, and 35 animals living inside, many in cages or kennels.

Wood still faces charges in Iowa County for animal cruelty and four counts of failing to dispose of animal carcasses for the conditions at a farm she owns near North English.

Nearly 300 animals in Wood's care have either been taken from her or voluntarily surrendered since 1997, because of unsanitary conditions, according to a SourceMedia Group investigation. In February she has lost control of at least 140 animals, including those 32 found in her home, closed her business and resigned from an animal rescue operation.

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