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GRINNELL, Iowa — A Grinnell man has been charged with 48 counts of Animal Neglect with Serious Injury or Death after the Animal Rescue League rescued 67 cats from his home in Grinnell.

The cats were in such poor health condition, 48 of the cats had to be euthanized. Some of the cats were put up for adoption by the ARL.

The investigation began after a service technician was inside the home, and saw the horrible conditions.

The home owner, Lamoyne Gaard, allegedly refused to allow authorities to inspect his home until a search warrant was issued. According to court documents, cat feces were all through the house and ammonia levels inside the home were at hazardous levels.

The house was condemned, and a cleanup crew came in and removed mounds of soiled furniture and carpet.

“We’re not out for anybody or anything, we want make sure that animals are cared for properly, the neighbors are protected from this situation, and that the person living in the home gets the care they need,” said Russ Behrens, Grinnell City Manager. “We take that really serious, property rights are, or are nearly absolute. We don’t want to infringe on someone’s property right until it starts to affect the neighborhood, which it certainly was doing in this case.” 

Behrens said he was thankful for the help from the Animal Rescue League, and their work over three days to remove cats, and trap some cats hidden in walls.

The ARL issued a statement on the Grinnell event:

“The ARL was called to assist Grinnell law enforcement with a suspected hoarding situation last month. Upon arrival, the ARL’s Mobile Rescue Team discovered dozens of cats in need of immediate care. As we’ve seen many times before, hoarding situations are very difficult physically and mentally for the animals involved, but also the people.”