Jennifer Wood faces charges after animals seized at Cedar Rapids home

UPDATE: Criminal charges have been filed against a woman whose animals were seized from her Cedar Rapids home last month.

Jennifer Wood, 36, has been charged with 35 counts of animal abuse and two counts of unhealthy and unsanitary conditions after officers took 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.

Animal Control and Care Manager Diane Webber said charges were filed late Thursday afternoon. She said Wood's attorney called her Wednesday, but Wood's whereabouts are still unknown.

Webber said the city will seek to recover costs for veterinary care and shelter fees for the animals that were seized, which currently amounts to $25,000. She said the animals are continuing to recover.

“When I said before that this puts a huge burden on the shelter, I wasn't kidding,” Webber said. “The amount of veterinary care they need is just mind-blowing.”

Webber said in order for the criminal charges to hold any weight, Wood must be served. Rumors have swirled that Wood is now out-of-state, and Webber said she is considering options to track her down.

Anticipating difficulty in finding Wood, the city also is considering citing Wood with municipal infractions. That would allow officials to serve the attorney and push for restrictions on the number of animals Wood can have in Cedar Rapids, Webber said.

“We're just taking it one step at a time,” Webber said.

Last week, a warrant was issued for Wood's arrest, after she didn't show up for an Iowa County court appearance. She was scheduled to be in court to face charges of animal cruelty and failing to dispose of animal carcasses for the conditions at farm she owns near North English. Wood surrendered seven dogs and two horses that were kept there.

Wood also recently closed her Hiawatha business, The Puppy Playground, after a state inspector found 60 dogs and 29 cats living in a crowded, unsanitary environment. The animals, which belonged to a rescue group Wood was involved with, have since been relocated to other rescue operations.

The Cedar Rapids seizure was the third time animals have been taken from one of Wood's residences in the city. She had 16 cats, 11 dogs and four rabbits taken away in 1997. Two years later, she had 118 animals – mostly cats, dogs, birds and rats – taken from her home at 1260 Houston Ct. NE.

No charges were filed against Wood, who was then known as Jennifer Hicks, for either incident. She reached an agreement with the city after the 1999 seizure to keep no more than six animals in any residence in Cedar Rapids, according to Gazette archives.

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.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:March 9: Authorities issue warrant for woman whose animals were seized