**UPDATE**: More details about Tuesday’s animal rescue in Plymouth County has been released by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, including that 3 children were also removed from the property by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The full press release from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office:
“On September 18, 2025 at approximately 1045 hrs. the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in rural Plymouth County. It was reported that the property had unsafe living conditions for 3 children and numerous dogs. As a result of this search, the 3 children were removed from the residence due to the unsafe living conditions and placed in the care of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
As the investigation continued, a follow up search warrant was conducted on September 23, 2025 at approximately 07:15 hrs. As a result of this search 111 dogs were removed from the property due to animal neglect.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Le Mars Fire Rescue. Le Mars Fire Rescue conducted air samplings in the residence and other buildings on the property. The air samples detected very high amounts of ammonia inside the residence causing the Le Mars Fire and Rescue to ventilate the residence so workers could remove the dogs that were living inside the residence.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Animal Rescue League of Iowa which is located in Des Moines, Iowa and the Siouxland Humane Society located in Sioux City, Iowa. The ARL and Humane Society were able to remove all 111 dogs from the property and transport them to Des Moines and Sioux City. The dogs are being held and cared for at both locations.
The investigation continues in this case.”
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Original story: Iowa’s largest non-profit animal shelter tackled one of its biggest rescue efforts in years in northwest Iowa on Tuesday. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa rounded up and removed more than one-hundred dogs from a property in Plymouth County. KC Routos, the A-R-L’s director of development and communications, says it was a major operation to safely house and transport so many animals almost four hours to the headquarters in Des Moines.
Members of the A-R-L’s trained medical staff are working to care for each dog, administer vaccinations, and get them healthy.
It’s hoped some of the dogs will be well enough to be put up for adoption very soon. The shelter is appealing to Iowans for help, both through financial donations and encouraging people to become pet parents.
She notes, the A-R-L receives no state, federal, or United Way funding, so it relies heavily on community support.
(Images courtesy of Animal Rescue League of Iowa)
