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Case #3953 Rating: 3.0 out of 5
Hoarding - approx 50 horses, 30 dogs and cats
Palo, IA (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Mar 2, 2005
County: Linn
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» Olin Andrews
» Wendy Andrews
Case Updates: 16 update(s) available
Linn county authorities seized dozens of possibly starving horses, dogs, cats and other animals from a farm near Palo. The rescue took place at the Olin and Wendy Andrews farm on Lewis Bottom Road near Pleasant Creek State Park.
Investigators with the Linn County Sheriff's Department say the case started with a complaint several weeks ago. Authorities obtained a search warrant for the Andrews property and brought along members of various animal groups to assist on Wednesday morning.
Investigators say they found 50 to 60 horses, 30 dogs and cats and other animals at the Andrews farm. They also found five animal carcasses.
Veterinarians brought to the scene determined some of the animals showed signs of starvation and dehydration from lack of available water.
That determination was enough to prompt investigators to remove the animals from the farm for safekeeping. Volunteers from groups like the Animal Rescue League of Iowa brought trucks and trailers to move the animals to new locations.
Sheriff's investigators say it may take time to determine if any criminal charges will result from what was found at the farm.
Case UpdatesA Palo couple will not have to reimburse Linn County $20,226 for the cost of rescuing and maintaining dozens of neglected animals seized from their farm in March 2005, the Iowa Court of Appeals of Iowa ruled Wednesday.
The appeals court, however, agreed with the district court that even the animals not showing signs of neglect should have been seized from the farm of Olin and Wendy Andrews.
Olin Andrews, 39, and Wendy Andrews, 41, appealed orders entered by a Linn County judge in their animal neglect cases.
On March 2, 2005, dozens of horses, cats, dogs, pigs and other animals were seized from the farm by Linn County sheriff's deputies, veterinarians and animal rescue people who went to the farm to follow up on a report of neglected cats.
In January 2006, the Andrewses were sentenced to 10 days in jail and fines on eight animal neglect charges. The couple also was limited to the number of animals they could keep on their farm at 3480 Lewis Bottoms Rd., rural Palo, during the year they were on probation.
Linn County filed a petition for disposition of the neglected livestock, asking the district court to determine whether the animals met the legal definition of neglected livestock and assess costs for their care to the Andrews.
The district court determined they were neglected and ordered the Andrews to pay $7,721. Another $12,505 was added after the county requested reimbursement for additional expenses.
The appeals court disagreed with the Andrewses that not all of the animals should have been seized because there was ``substantial evidence in the record to support the district court's findings`` that the animals had not received proper care.
``... we find no error in the court's decision that the animals were neglected,'' the appeals court noted.
On the issue of money, however, the court ruled the Andrewses could not be assessed the cost of the animals' care according to Iowa law because criminal charges had not been filed and the case was still under investigation when the animals were seized.
District Judge Robert Sosalla sentenced the Andrewses to eight consecutive 30-day jail terms, with all but 10 days suspended. They were fined $3,500, but Sosalla suspended $2,500 to offset the cost of court-ordered mental health evaluations and classes on the care of horses.
The Andrewses originally faced 13 misdemeanor animal cruelty and neglect charges. A Linn County jury has determined that a Palo couple neglected horses, cats and pigs but not dogs, sheep, goats and pea fowl. | Source: Gazette Online - Aug 22, 2007
Update posted on Aug 23, 2007 - 5:43PM |
A rural Palo couple convicted of neglecting numerous animals has been sentenced to just over one week in jail. Wendy and Olin Andrews were convicted in December 2005 of eight neglect charges after originally being charged with 13 violations of animal cruelty and neglect. In March 2005, authorities seized more than 200 animals from the Andrew's farm, including 60 horses, numerous cats and dogs, sheep, pigs, goats and domestic birds.
During the January 26, 2006 sentencing, the judge conceded the couple had the best intentions, however the situation got out of control. He sentenced the couple to eight consecutive 30-day jail terms with all bet ten days suspended. The couple's jail time will be staggered so that at least one of them couple be home to tend to the animals they still have. The judge also put a limit on the number of animals they may have on their farm, put them on probation for one year, ordered them to undergo mental evaluations, and to take a course on caring for horses. | Source: Radio Iowa - January 27, 2006
Update posted on Feb 3, 2006 - 9:01PM |
Officials with the Cedar Valley Humane Society picked up four cats from the property of Wendy and Olin Andrews in rural Palo after complaints the couple had too many animals.
Anna Ehrman, operations director at the Humane Society, said officials had received two complaints. On January 10, 2006, Humane Society officials and Linn County sheriff's deputies went to the residence to check. The Andrews are allowed by court order to have two cats, Ehrman said. They had six and four were confiscated, Ehrman said. She said the Andrewses did call the Humane Society to report the extra four cats so they could be picked up but they called on a day the society was closed. | Source: Gazette Online - January 15, 2006
Update posted on Jan 15, 2006 - 6:38AM |
A Linn County jury has found a Palo couple guilty on eight counts of animal neglect. The jury deliberated for almost two days.
37-year-old Olin Andrews and his wife, 39-year-old Wendy Andrews, faced 13 misdemeanor charges. The judge dismissed one charge during the trial.
The jury found the Andrews guilty of neglecting pigs, cats and horses. The couple was found not guilty of neglecting other animals.
Authorities seized more than 200 animals, including dogs, cats and horses from the Andrews' rural Palo farm in March 2005. Assistant County Attorny Angie Wilson says, " This was a case that was systematic. It had gone on for a long time. There were a lot of animals out there. We've gotten a lot of positive feedback that it was time somebody did something about it.
Olin and Wendy Andrews had no comment on the verdict after it came down. They each face up to 8 months in jail and $4,000 in fines. Sentencing is set for January 26th, 2006. | Source: KWWL News - December 15, 2005
Update posted on Dec 16, 2005 - 11:50PM |
In final arguments, prosecutors say the veterinarians determined a portion of the animals did not have proper food or water. One assistant county attorney says 80 percent of the horses scored poorly on a body mass index rating.
The jury got the case just before 4:00 o'clock December 13, 2005. They deliberated only a short time before going home for the day. The deliberations will resume December 14, 2005. | Source: KCRG News - December 13, 2005
Update posted on Dec 13, 2005 - 10:49PM |
An animal neglect trial hits day four. In March, authorities seized about 200 animals including cats, dogs, and horses from the Olin and Wendy Andrews farm near Palo. It was an emotional day in court for Wendy Andrews. She broke down after hearing witnesses testify on how a few of her dogs and cats were put down after the seizure.
Kaia Gale with the Cedar Valley Humane Society says on March 2nd, the day of the search warrant they walked the property. One of the places they searched was in a cat shed. "There was a deceased cat laying in the litter box, an orange persian. The litter boxes were filled with feces. There were bowls, but instead of water, they were filled with urine."
Gale says the cats they found alive were not in good condition. "They were very thing, dirty. Some had deformities, and they just didn't look like they were in good condition." | Source: KWWL - Dec 8, 2005
Update posted on Dec 8, 2005 - 8:31PM |
Several animal doctors testified on Wednesday in a high-profile animal neglect case. In March, authorities seized about 200 animals including cats, dogs, and horses from the Olin and Wendy Andrews farm near Palo.
A lot of the testimony has been by veterinarians who helped during the seizure and vets who helped nurse the animals back to health. Veterinarian Jennifer Doll was one of the lead vets on the scene in March.
She determined some animals were being neglected and therefore all the animals should be taken away from the Andrews. Doll said some of the animals were under-watered and under-fed.
She told the jury about one case where a pot bellied pig was in a pen with hogs. "He was a skeleton. I tried to give him food and the other hogs just piled up on him to get the food and he just fell over." | Source: KWWL - Dec 7, 2005
Update posted on Dec 8, 2005 - 8:18AM |
Jury selection continues this afternoon in Linn County District Court in the animal neglect and cruelty trial of Olin and Wendy Andrews.
The husband and wife, of 3480 Lewis Bottoms Rd. in Palo, were charged after Linn County sheriff's deputies following up on a report of cat neglect seized more than 200 small animals and livestock, including more than 60 horses, on March 2.
The Andrews face 13 misdemeanor charges. Their trial is expected to last all week. | Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette - Dec 5, 2005
Update posted on Dec 5, 2005 - 8:01PM |
An eastern Iowa couple facing over a dozen animal neglect charges want more cats and dogs to fend off wild animals and vandals at their farm near Palo. Under a deal with the Cedar Valley Humane Society, the Andrewses can't have cats and can only have four dogs on their property.
According to a request to modify the agreement, the Andrewses want at least two outside dogs and several cats to chase away mice, raccoons and coyotes as well as unwelcome two-legged visitors.
The couple says they received a harassing letter in March, and words were spray-painted on their yard in April and again in July. Their trial is set for September. | Source: WOI-TV - July 29, 2005
Update posted on Jul 29, 2005 - 1:51PM |
An eastern Iowa couple facing animal neglect charges say they're not guilty.
Olin and Wendy Andrews of Palo (PAY'-lo) are charged with four counts of animal neglect and nine counts of livestock neglect. They pleaded not guilty this week in Linn County District Court.
Authorities seized some 200 animals, including dozens of cats and dogs and more than 60 horses from their farm in March. | Source: WOI-TV May 13, 2005
Update posted on May 13, 2005 - 3:21PM |
The Andrews have paid the Cedar Valley Humane Society more than ten million dollars for the care of their animals. Authorities seized some 200 animals, including dozens of cats and dogs and more than 60 horses, from Olin and Wendy Andrews farm last month. The Andrewses are charged with four counts of animal neglect and nine counts of livestock neglect.
Their attorney says a deal was made with the Cedar Valley Humane Society. In exchange for the money, the couple would get four of their dogs back and the humane society would monitor the health of the animals.
The settlement will be discussed in Linn County District Court on Friday. Preliminary hearings for the criminal charges is April 29th. | Source: WOI-TV - April 10, 2005
Update posted on Apr 11, 2005 - 5:04AM |
Hundreds of animals rescued from a Linn County farm will not go back to the people who tried to care for them.
A judge says there aren't enough hours in the day for Wendy and Olin Andrews to care for the horses, dogs, cats and other animals. The judge ordered the Andrews to pay $7,700 for the expense of caring for the rescued animals.
The ruling gave Linn County the right to return animals to owners other than the Andrews, offer them for sale or adoption or put them to sleep. | Source: KWWL - April 7, 2005
Update posted on Apr 8, 2005 - 4:33PM |
Olin and Wendy Andrews are back in court today. They're trying to prove they properly cared for their animals. The Andrews face multiple counts of animal abuse. That will be addressed in a separate criminal trial.
Tuesday, testimony from both the plaintiffs and the defense to decide if the Andrews will ever own their animals again.
Today, people who spent time on the farm prior to that day their story. Frank Hulshizer is a neighbor who sold 83 round hay bales to Olin Andrews in November 2004.
"Looked to me like an average farm," says Hulshizer. "It wasn't the best and wasn't the worst."
Mary Jones is the founder of the Iowa Equine Rescue Network. She visited the farm prior to the animal seizure and noticed a shortage of water and food.
"I asked her if she needed help with anything," says Jones. "She said she had adequate and even offered to become the home farm site for Iowa Equine Rescue Network."
Dozens of pictures documented the condition of the horses that initially were moved to a
Buchanan county farm. Now they're housed by area volunteers.
"My general impression was just they were going through winter," says Jordan Kelly. He works for a vet clinic but also has a cousin who now cares for a rescued horse. "They weren't looking their best, had matted hair during this time, it's a rough time for horses."
"I wouldn't want my horses there," says Darla Clubb. "There was stuff that could've been considered danger."
"I can rarely get a hold of Wendy on the farm they were always outside. They were always doing something to tend to the animals." That was the testimony from Wendy's sister Lori Augustine.
Olin and Wendy Andrews are scheduled to take the stand first thing Wednesday morning.
Their stories could be the strongest defense in this custody case. | Source: KCRG - March 29, 2005
Update posted on Mar 30, 2005 - 2:14PM |
Linn County authorities have asked a judge to decide whether hundreds of animals seized from a rural Palo farm were neglected so they may be permanently placed elsewhere.
Some 200 animals, including 59 cats and dogs and more than 60 horses, were removed from the Olin and Wendy Andrews farm on March 2. Linn County deputies, veterinarians and others went to the farm to follow up on a complaint about malnourished cats.
The Andrews were charged with four counts of animal neglect and nine counts of livestock neglect.
Two veterinarians testified Monday in the case against the couple that the animals they saw were neglected and needed to be removed. They told District Judge David Baker that while some appeared to be in good health, most had no food or water.
"I feel that they were all at risk simply because there is a pattern of neglect," said Dr. Dan Campbell of Des Moines, chief staff veterinarian for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
Campbell and Dr. Jennifer Doll, a Solon veterinarian, evaluated animals at the farm to determine whether they should be removed.
Peter Riley, the Andrews' attorney, said his clients were being persecuted because they tried to rehabilitate sick animals. Wendy Andrews often bought horses headed for slaughter and adopted wild mustangs.
The hearing was to continue Tuesday. | Source: The Des Moines Register - March 29, 2005
Update posted on Mar 29, 2005 - 12:04PM |
The Andrews appeared in court on March 22, 2005. The attorneys and judge met in chambers before the hearing was supposed to start. Then came the announcement the hearing would be delayed until Monday, to allow more time.
Before the hearing, Veterinarians from Iowa State University examined 30 of the rescued animals on several farms in Linn County.
Veterinarian Joan Howard didn't see the animals when they were removed from the Andrews farm. But she says it's obvious the animals lacked care. She says, "This mare is pretty evident she's still thin, and we saw some other horses that have a hoof problem that they've been working with. They had some long feet that they trimmed up and nursing that a long."
The Iowa State Veterinary School donated enough vaccine to take care of all the horses. At more than $100 dollars a horse, it's quite an expense. | Source: March 22, 2005
Update posted on Mar 25, 2005 - 3:53AM |
| Investigators have handed this case over to the Linn County attorney. The county attorney's office will now decide whether to file any charges. | | Update posted on Mar 13, 2005 - 10:18PM |
References
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