Davis County's best-known animal hoarder is in the news again after 100-200 animals were found caged on his property at 600 Fifth St. in Glenwood, Missouri. He moved to Missouri sometime in December 2014.
Found caged were exotic birds, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, ducks and rabbits. Schuyler County Sheriff Joe Wuebker said some of the animals were dead while others were in poor and deteriorating health, under-nourished and neglected. His department started to receive complaints from neighbors about Blew's residence this past December.
It was over a year ago, February 2014, when dozens of animals were found dead and hundreds seized at Blew's home in Drakesville in what was called one of the largest hoarding cases in Iowa. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa estimated 300 animals were placed in its custody to find new homes.
In December 2014, Blew was convicted on several counts of animal neglect and cruelty of animals in Davis County. He was sentenced to one year in jail, but all but 10 days were suspended.
Dozens of animals suffered and died slow deaths. Hundreds of animals suffered at his hands and all he got was 10 lousy days in jail. Way to be tough on animal cruelty, Iowa!
Tuesday and Wednesday, the Humane Society of Missouri was on the scene to remove the animals and take them to their office in St. Louis, Missouri. There, the animals would be treated by veterinarians and undergo testing for diseases.
Schuyler County Times Editor Herb Austin said the scene at the Blew residence nearly rivaled that of Blew's residence in Drakesville. "I'm told it was bad, but not quite as bad as his former residence in Iowa."
Austin said he was admitted inside the trailer where Blew was residing. "I don't know how anybody could live in those conditions." Dead animals and animal feces covered the floors. Animal carcasses were found strewn about the property.
In a probable cause statement submitted to the court, Wuebker noted his office was contacted in on Dec. 22, 2104, with a complaint from a Glenwood city board member. During his initial visit, the sheriff could see that many animals appeared to be in poor condition, and a call to the animal abuse hotline was made.
Over the course of the next several weeks, visits by law enforcement officials were made to the Blew residence. Each visit, according to the report, showed lack of care for animals on the property. "There was insufficient bedding, food and water," Wuebker noted. "I could clearly see animals suffering through their shivering, overall appearance and lack of movement."
Conditions grew worse in January, when Webker and Animal Cruelty Task Force Investigator Carmen Skelly visited Blew's property. "Animals ranged from good to poor condition with two chickens dead."
Blew signed at release at the time to take two Angora rabbits found to be in poor condition to a local veterinary center in Kirksville, Missouri. The probable cause complaint stated, "The rabbits had filthy coats, with fecal and urine matter attached. They had splayed legs out to the side and unable to rest or bear weight on them. They also had matted eyes and were unresponsive."
Over the course of the next several days, the rabbits' condition worsened and both had to be euthanized. Necropsies were performed on each rabbit, and each had a heavy load of internal and external parasites.
In the months following, Schuyler County Sheriff deputies continued to visit the Blew residence. With each visit, the number of animals in Blew's custody continued to grow. The sheriff also contacted the Division of Health and Senior Services along with the Mark Twain Behavior Health for help.
Finally on April 23, the sheriff submitted his probable cause statement to the county attorney for charges to be filed. "It is my belief Roger Blew knows he does not have the capacity to care for the number of animals in his possession. He's is on a limited income and cannot provide for himself nor the animals," Wuebker wrote.
Blew was taken into custody Tuesday and transported to the Davis County to begin serving his one-year sentence. He was transported to Schuyler County on Thursday for his arraignment. He is facing two counts of felony animal abuse as a persistent offender.
(Ottumwa Courier - April 30, 2015)
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