COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) – One last legal challenge is what the owner of an Iowa dog kennel hoped would saver her from having to close up shop.
After being cited for a nuisance misdemeanor, Karen Davis has argued a zoning ordinance shouldn’t apply to her dog kennel, but a claim for an ag exemption was lost in court. So, she sought protection under Iowa’s home business law, and that ruling has been handed down.
“They’re saying that should have been addressed at the first hearing,” said Karen. “I’m at the end of the rope and there’s nothing I can do.”
Her injunction, dismissed. The judge ordered Karen should have all dogs removed from her property by April 25.
“The kennels will be empty and they have to come down and I guess inspect my kennels to make sure all the dogs are gone,” Karen said.
Pottawattamie County Planning Director Matt Wyant told First Alert 6 in February that neighbors had complained.
“These are local residents who live throughout the area that have been having to put up with barking dogs,” said Wyant.
The kennel sits on 22 acres and one acreage owner says he doesn’t consider the dogs a nuisance.
“They’re out in the country and you hear dogs barking every night, so it’s not an issue,” said Heath Hoppes.
Since the initial First Alert 6 report, Karen says that friends, acquaintances, and strangers have offered to come adopt a dog if she loses her last-ditch effort. Now, she has.
The nursery is already empty as puppies have been sold, but the remaining 15 adult long and short-haired German Shepherds will go to good homes for free.
“Whenever they’re ready to have their stuff set up for a dog, they’ll be coming to pick them up or I’ll be delivering them,” Karen said.
Kyle King has worked for Karen part-time for years. He can’t have a dog where he lives, but he says the memories of many four-legged friends will go with him.
“They are my family,” Kyle said. “Just seeing them gone breaks my heart because each one of them, I’ve cared for them like they’re my own children.”
Wyant says Karen can’t keep any dogs on the property to breed. Animal control says county residents can have up to four dogs as pets. The assistant county attorney on the case did not respond to First Alert 6’s request for comment.
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