Four legged friends (and enemies): Iowa: Officials tight lipped about dog-cruelty case involving repeat accused animal hoarder William Howard, 69

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Iowa: Officials tight lipped about dog-cruelty case involving repeat accused animal hoarder William Howard, 69

IOWA -- A Keokuk man is facing multiple animal-related charges following the seizure of dogs from his home earlier this month.

William F. Howard, 69, of 1519 Des Moines St. was cited with 23 counts of animal cruelty, 22 counts of no city tags, 22 counts of no rabies vaccinations, a count of no kennel license and a count of keeping animals in unsanitary conditions, according to a news release Friday from the Keokuk Police Department.

KPD officers assisted Keokuk Animal Control Officer Tom Crew at about 2:30 p.m. Oct. 5, in executing a search warrant at Howard’s residence. Authorities found 23 dogs inside the home.

The animals were removed from the house and taken to Keokuk Animal Services, 249 Carbide Lane. Staff and volunteers helped evaluate the animals’ condition and rendered aid.

“Most of the charges are related to the conditions of the animals,” City Attorney Douglas Dorando said this morning.

He would not comment further because of the criminal charges.

Police Chief Dave Hinton said he would not discuss facts or evidence in a pending investigation, and there “is a lot left to do.”

Howard was cited as an option to arrest, which “is normal practice,” Hinton said.

The Keokuk Humane Society, 1124 Johnson St., has boarded 10 of the dogs due to overcrowding at Keokuk Animal Services caused by the influx of dogs.

A court-appointed attorney is representing Howard.

REPEAT OFFENDER

This latest incident isn’t Howard’s first brush with the city code, according to a story written in 2004 by Fort Madison Daily Democrat reporter Joe Benedict.

Howard was being held in the Lee County Jail and allowed the city animal control officer to remove animals from his home at 323 Concert St.

At the time, 18 dogs and cats were taken from the home and housed at the city animal shelter.

Later, when his other house at 323 Concert St. was condemned, news reports said he had "beaten" the animal cruelty charges [because officials didn't understand that living in a condemned house full of feces, urine and ammonia constituted animal cruelty].