379 Barn Animals In ‘Dreadful Conditions’ Rescued From Marshalltown Property

A massive animal rescue happened in Marshall County.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa got a call to help law enforcement remove hundreds of barn animals that were living without food or water.

The call started out as there were just a couple of dozen animals that needed help.

But in total, rescuers found 379 animals, including chickens, goats, ponies, sheep, potbelly pigs, geese, ducks, rabbits, and kittens. Most of the animals were starving and thin and had been eating anything they could reach, including tree bark and leaves stripped from nearby trees.

The pigs were living in "cubicle-sized shed in pitch blackness in at least four inches of feces and mud".

Deputies first got a call about a young pony that was struggling to stand up. They found the animal very malnourished and the property overgrazed. 46-year-old Pedro Garcia-Alvarez and 55-year-old Millie Moreno-Garcia were arrested in connection to the situation. They face charges of Livestock Neglect-Causing Serious Injury or Death and Livestock Neglect-Failure to Provide Adequate Livestock Care.

The ARL Needs Help

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa posted a call for help to take care of all of these animals. Upon rescue the animals were taken to Second Chance Ranch and the ARL's Rescue Intake & Rehabilitation Center.

They're asking for donations in whatever amount but they say specifically $37 can cover vaccinations for one animal, $156 provides one-day enrichment for all animals all day, and $1000 is complete veterinary care for one horse.

The ARL already had dozens of animals to care for before this rescue so supplies and volunteers are also welcome.