Woman accused of animal abuse pleads guilty to lesser violations before defense starts

CEDAR RAPIDS – The woman accused of 35 counts of animal abuse and other code violations didn't start her defense Wednesday because she accepted a plea agreement with the City.

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, Jennifer Wood, 36, she pleaded guilty to 35 counts of unhealthy or unsanitary conditions. The animal abuse counts were dismissed, as well as the remaining unhealthy charges.

Wood was charged with 35 counts of animal abuse and two violations 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.

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.

Tom Viner, Wood's attorney, said she was ordered to pay $50 on each count and court costs. Restitution will be determined later at a hearing set July 29. She also won't be allowed,  as part of the plea deal, to own, harbor or keep any animals within the city limits of Cedar Rapids without a further court order, he said.

“Ms. Wood is happy that the untold part of the story came out in court,” Viner said. “She maintains she hasn't abused animals. Today's resolution was a fair one.”

Viner said this would also leave Wood open to work with animals in the future.

Assistant City Attorney Liz Jacobi didn't return a phone message left Wednesday.

The civil case against Wood concerning whether Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control can take ownership of the animals removed from Wood's home and start adoptions has been settled, according to an order filed Wednesday in Linn County District Court. The order doesn't state what will happen to the animals, only that the City will likely dismiss the matter.

Viner said he couldn't comment on the civil case.

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.

Records show Wood started a business in Hiawatha called The Puppy Playground in 2003. She avoided charges after a 1999 raid – agreeing only to keep no more than six animals in a Cedar Rapids residence, which at the time the application for her state license did not require her to disclose previous animal seizures.

When a state inspector went to The Puppy Playground, there were 60 dogs and 29 cats housed in the strip mall space. An inspector noted extreme crowding and inadequate ventilation that led to an “overwhelming urine smell.”

Wood also was involved with At-Risk Animals Rescue and Rehab in Cedar Rapids. The rescued animals were mostly kept at the Hiawatha business.

Wood volunteered to resign as president of animal rescue group after officers seized the 35 animals from her home which resulted in the original animal abuse charges.

Jeff Raasch/SourceMedia Group News contributed to this article.