Woman pleads guilty to animal neglect charges - By SCOTT NILES Courier staff writer
OTTUMWA — The woman charged in connection with the raid of a local pet store last week has admitted responsibility for animal neglect and must pay nearly $750 in fines.
Donna Marie Rhodes, 76, former owner of the Court Hill Pet Palace, 160 S. Iowa Ave., pleaded guilty Monday morning to four charges — two counts of cruelty to animals, one count of confining animals (filthy confinement conditions) and one count of sanitation of premises (odor and conditions of inside).
Rhodes appeared in front of Magistrate Judge Sam Erhardt, who ordered the woman to pay the fines within 45 days.
On Feb. 18, Ottumwa Police Animal Resource Officer Jeff Williams received a report of animal neglect and inhumane living conditions at the Pet Palace.
Upon investigation, Williams reported the discovery of nearly 30 animals living in squalid conditions.
In his report, Williams said as he entered the building he “detected a strong odor of urine and feces. The building had no gas, so the only thing keeping the temperature above freezing was two small electric space heaters. The business had 24 dogs, three cats inside, which all but one were confined in small kennels. Most of the confinements (kennels) had an offensive odor and was not clean and sanitary.”
Williams also discovered “a medium-size dog in a larger kennel. The dog was living in standing water with feces and other debris throughout the kennel floor. The water in the bowl was brown. The dog carrier for his shelter was closed so he did not have a dry spot to sit. His coat was covered in feces, water and urine. He was a white dog, but looked tannish brown from the filthy conditions of the kennel.”
Rhodes said Monday in court that she has not been well and that she never meant for any of the animals to suffer.
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.