Officer Jeff Williams, as well as inspectors from the health department, found a hoarding situation which included animals 218 E. Woodland Avenue.
“We’re in the very preliminary stages of the investigation,” said Lt. Chad Farrington, the patrol division commander for the OPD. “But it looks like we’ll have around a dozen animals.”
The search warrant was executed at 10:57 a.m. Wednesday, and officers and fire were still on the scene removing animals as of noon. Police had requested that the fire department set up their exhaust fan at the entry to the residence.
HOUSE CONDEMNED
A health inspector entered the home, and five minutes later, stepped back outside, checking the bottom of his shoes. He placarded the dwelling around 11:30 a.m.
Several cats waited in cages on the front lawn after being removed from the house by an officer and an inspector. Farrington said condition of all the animals was in question, as the search for them inside the house was continuing.
As the search warrant document itself was with officers in the house, the lieutenant did not immediately have the homeowner’s name. At this point in the search, he said, it was too early to know for certain what charges, if any, might be pending.
Update: She has been identified as Suzette Kay Stocker, age 69, of Ottumwa.
Due to the nature of the incident, however, he said a press release with more details is likely.
Update to story:
