A Muscatine County woman has been charged with six counts of animal neglect leading to serious injury for death after an investigation found dozens of dogs, cats, birds and other animals in her home.
The investigation began in early May after police received a request for a welfare check on the animals. Twenty dogs, 29 cats, eight birds, one guinea pig and one French Angora rabbit were rescued from the home of 65-year-old Susan Purcell-Varnell, authorities said.
They were suffering from neglect and medical conditions and taken to the humane society, where they were examined by a veterinarian and are currently being cared for.