Iowa: Lynx, other animals seized from filthy conditions

Several dogs, puppies, cats and a lynx were seized Tuesday from a rural property near Glenwood, Iowa.

Mills County Sheriff Mack Taylor said his office received a tip late last week that animals were being kept in filthy conditions. A licensed veterinarian determined it was best for the animals’ welfare that they be removed.

Taylor said, “We took mostly dogs and cats. It’s my understanding that there’s some sort of breeding operation going on here.”

Dr. Steve White says about 20 dogs, 15 puppies, some cats and a lynx were taken to the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha.

“Most of them were living in filth. There were feces and urine throughout the kennels,” White said. “Two of the puppies were cold and pale and not moving much so I think they were near death and there were five others that needed attention right away.”

Dr. White says the lynx was thin and was being fed raw meat from road kill. “That’s not a balanced diet,” White said. “You can’t just eat meat all the time. All the old bones and rancid fat was just lying around and smelling.”

The property is owned by Marsha Leigh who denies the animals are malnourished or neglected. “I run an animal refuge and expect to get all my animals back. I’ll probably sue,” Leigh said.

Sheriff Taylor said, “Of course Miss Leigh enjoys the fact that she’s innocent until proven guilty of anything.”

He says reports will be forwarded to the county attorney for review. No citations were issued.

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