Cedar Rapids woman accused of animal abuse arrested in Colorado

Jennifer Wood, the woman charged with dozens of counts of animal abuse in Cedar Rapids, was arrested in Colorado last week and is scheduled to be in court Friday.

Wood, 36, was arrested March 24 at a residence in Red Feather Lakes, Colo. on two counts of being a fugitive from justice. Larimer County sheriff's deputies took her into custody without incident.

“We were contacted by an investigator on the case that had specific information about her whereabouts,” said John Schulz, spokesman for the sheriff's office.

Wood spent two nights in jail and was released after posting a $10,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear before a judge Friday morning.

The arrest came a week after a second warrant was issued for Wood's arrest in Iowa. She has been 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.

A dead dog and dead cat also were found in bags in her garage, authorities said.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said Wood will eventually be extradited back to Iowa to face local charges. He said the timing is unknown and depends on Wood's cooperation.

Animal Control and Care Manager Diane Webber said she was not sure if the arrest would aid the prosecution of Wood. She said she would be watching closely to see if Wood shows up for Friday's court appearance.

Webber has previously said the city will try to recover costs for veterinary care and shelter fees for the animals that were seized, which currently amounts to more than $25,000.

Wood is also charged in Iowa County with animal cruelty and four counts of failing to dispose of animal carcasses for the conditions at farm she owns near North English. Her lawyer filed a written plea of not guilty this week, according to online court records.

Iowa County Sheriff Robert Rotter said Wood's recent arrest is unlikely to have any effect on their warrant, because suspects are not extradited from other states on simple misdemeanors.

Things unraveled quickly for Wood last month after a customer told police about unsanitary conditions at her pet grooming business in Hiawatha. In one week, she lost control of more than 140 animals, closed the business and resigned from an animal rescue operation.

Wood has declined to comment publicly.

In all, nearly 300 animals in Wood's care have either been taken from her or voluntarily surrendered since 1997, mostly because of unsanitary conditions.