
(UPDATE 3/3/19) We’re happy to announce that Bennie was adopted today to an amazing family! His new mom adores him, and he and his new dog friend hit it off right away, wrestling and playing all around our Activity Center.
After all that Bennie has been through, we love seeing his big smile and knowing that he will finally be living the life he has always deserved.
Congrats to Bennie and his new family!
(UPDATE, 2/18/19) Remember Bennie, the very sweet dog who came to us with severe swelling and injuries after his owner allegedly bound his muzzle with an electrical cord? He has continued to heal over the past month in our care and will soon be available for adoption! Anyone interested in meeting Bennie can come to a meet-and-greet Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 5:30-6 p.m. at ARL Main. If you are interested in becoming his new family, you can turn in an application at that time!
(UPDATE, 2/8/19) News coverage
WHOTv 13 (click here for article)
We Are Iowa, ABC5 (click for article)
KCCI 8 (click here for article)
On January 18, an Animal Rescue League of Iowa Animal Control Officer (ARL ACO) assisted the Des Moines Police Department (DMPD) on a call to save a dog in distress at the 2800 block of Boston Ave. The young, male dog was inside the home with facial swelling nearly 4x the normal size. The kennel he was in was covered in feces and his water bowl was full of blood. When the owner was instructed to step away, the dog immediately ran over to one of the officers and leaned his entire body weight on the officer’s leg, seeking protection. The owner had allegedly wrapped an electrical cord around the dog’s muzzle and urinated on the dog.

The dog was removed and immediately taken to the ARL for treatment. Upon his arrival, the ARL’s Emergency Care Team began administering pain medication, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medications and gave him a bath to make him comfortable.
The dog has been named “Bennie” by his ARL caretakers and is extremely sweet, loves attention, and loves treats.

The swelling of Bennie’s muzzle did not decrease for over a week after he was rescued. He is still on medications due to the prolonged swelling and injuries. His gums were so ulcerated that there is still concern that he may lose gum tissue. Where the ligature was tied around his muzzle, hair loss showing pink skin and scabbing is now visible. While the swelling of his muzzle has decreased significantly, now 3 weeks later, swelling is still evident.
Bennie still has several weeks of medical treatment ahead and the long-term effects of his injuries are still unknown.
The owner, a juvenile offender, was charged with 1 count of neglect, a simple misdemeanor. Since the owner is a minor, his name cannot be released. The charge of neglect is the strongest possible charge currently under Iowa law.

“It is unimaginable the suffering that Bennie endured during this ordeal and it is particularly concerning that the alleged abuser is a juvenile offender. Bennie is now safe at the ARL, but Iowa laws will do little to ensure that his alleged abuser is both punished and rehabilitated – and the laws will do absolutely nothing to ensure that other animals are protected from this person in the future,” said Tom Colvin, CEO for the ARL. “It is past time for Iowa lawmakers to pass legislation to strengthen Iowa’s animal laws so that abusers receive appropriate punishment for their crimes and mental evaluations to determine treatment to prevent reoffending – and so animals can be protected from horrible abuse like what Bennie suffered.”
Join the ARL Humane Action Network to stay up to date on how to help strengthen Iowa’s companion animal laws at www.ARL-Iowa.org/HAN




























UPDATE (2/6/19): Derrick Peterson has pleaded guilty to 1 count of animal Abandonment and 1 count of Animal Neglect for his role in the horrific case of Oscar, the severely emaciated dog who was found in a Des Moines dumpster in mid-November. As part of the plea, Peterson was ordered to serve 60 days in jail with 55 days suspended and 2 days credit for previous time-served after his arrest, leaving a remainder of 3 days left to serve. He was also ordered to pay $130 in fines plus additional restitution. Peterson has been placed on a 12 month probation and as a condition of this probation, he cannot own any animals during that time and he must complete an animal welfare class during this time, or he will face additional jail time.
UPDATE (11/24/18): Thanks to an outstanding investigation by the ARL Animal Control division and tips from the public, in cooperation with the Des Moines Police Department, we are pleased to announce that Derrick Dewayne Peterson has been arrested and charged with animal neglect and abandonment.








12/10/18 UPDATE: We’re excited to announce that Maddy & Beau were ADOPTED this weekend! These sweet dogs came to us with raw, scarred muzzles from having their mouths repeatedly bound shut (their former owner pleaded guilty to animal neglect). While their emotional wounds ran even deeper, they had been making steady progress in our care, and we’re thrilled that they now have the loving home they’ve always deserved! Congrats to these sweet dogs and their new family!


P.S. Kristina Rake of Humboldt was arrested and charged with 2 counts of Animal Neglect Causing Death or Serious Injury and 2 counts of Failure to Dispose Animal Remains. Rake pleaded guilty to both counts of Animal Neglect and was sentenced to 5 days in jail. The remaining charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement. Most animal neglect cases do not result in jail time, so we applaud the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office and the Humboldt County Prosecutor’s office for presenting a strong case and pursuing maximum penalties currently allowed under Iowa law. Even yet, this punishment does not fit the crime. Until our state lawmakers act on the proposed legislation to change this, animal abusers will continue to get away with just a “slap on the wrist” and Iowa will continue to be ranked as the 2nd worst state in the nation for animal welfare laws. Learn more about what we are doing to help strengthen these laws and how you can help at 
Many of the ponies were locked in stalls with 3-4 feet of mud and feces. About half were in a “dry lot” next to the barn, and the rest were in a pasture full of weeds and a small puddle from the rain serving as the only access to water. The feed boxes were all empty except for one that was full of twine – which could be lethal if the ponies ingested it. While we were there, some of the ponies were so hungry they were eating the hair that had fallen from the other ponies.


UPDATE (4/3/18; 4:15 PM) Leland Moffitt of Des Moines has been charged with 5 counts of Animal Neglect Causing Death (a serious misdemeanor) and 10 counts of Animal Neglect (a simple misdemeanor). In total, 52 living cats were involved in this rescue. Moffitt surrendered all 52 cats to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) where following their spay/neuter surgeries and in some cases, behavioral rehabilitation, they will become available for adoption at the ARL.

July 26, 2017, 10:30 a.m. 