PAW takes in 32 dogs on USDA seizure

DOGS SEIZED

People who run these mills don’t care at all about these adult dogs, they want the puppies and then those are given to a broker who sells them to pet stores. Several of these puppies were so covered in fleas that when we bathed them the water was red.. And sadly, we’ve seen worse.”

Sandy Brown, director PAW Animal Shelter

FORT MADISON – A local animal shelter has brought 32 dogs, and other animals as part of seizure in Van Buren County, to Fort Madison.
The animals were seized under a federal warrant after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa issued a temporary restraining order against Wuanita Swedlund of rural Farmingon, last week based on claims that she repeatedly failed to grant Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials access to inspect her facility, animals, and records in violation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
P.A.W. Animal Shelter Director Sandy Brown said her Fort Madison staff was called to what is generically referred to as a puppy mill, under the authority of federal agents and removed 32 dogs, including puppies, one rabbit, and a cat.
Brown said every one of the animals was covered in fleas and had body masses about 1/3 of what is considered healthy.
“People who run these mills don’t care at all about these adult dogs, they want the puppies and then those are given to a broker who sells them to pet stores,” Brown said.
“Several of these puppies were so covered in fleas that when we bathed them the water was red.. And sadly, we’ve seen worse.”
PAW had to take all the animals as part of the seizure. The rabbit has been fostered and the other animals have been absorbed into the PAW shelter.
“We have two rooms on the side that are food prep rooms and they are just big empty rooms, so if we have to quarantine they go in there. It’s just two big, nice storage rooms that we keep empty all the time. So we set up kennels in there.
According to federal law enforcement agents, the action was taken to ensure USDA inspectors could gain access to the facility for inspections. Allegedly, Swedlund, had not been on site when recent inspections had been scheduled.
“We filed this action to ensure that USDA inspectors had the opportunity to assess the care dogs were receiving at a breeder’s facility in Iowa,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “As a result of the district court’s order, federal and state inspectors found numerous AWA violations and moved 32 dogs to facilities that will give them the care they need. The AWA sets clear standards for the humane treatment of animals, and we are committed to ensuring those standards are enforced.”
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to working closely with the U.S. Department of Justice on enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. This case demonstrates as much,” said General Counsel Tyler Clarkson of the USDA.
According to the complaint, filed with a motion for temporary restraining order, and preliminary injunction, Swedlund allegedly engaged in a pattern and practice of violating the AWA while operating a dog breeding facility in Farmington. Inspectors with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have allegedly tried but not been allowed to access her facility, animals, and records for routine inspections seven times over the last 10 months. 
The motion for emergency relief states that APHIS has cited Swedlund for at least 25 violations of the AWA since she received her license in 2023. The violations include deaths of puppies, failure to treat dogs’ obvious injuries and medical conditions, keeping dog enclosures covered in feces, and leaving dogs without access to drinking water.
After the court issued the restraining order requested by the United States, inspectors from APHIS and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) coordinated and obtained access to Swedlund’s facility. APHIS cited Swedlund for dozens more AWA violations and, based on the results of their concurrent inspection, the State obtained a search warrant and took possession of the animals.
The USDA referred the matter to the Justice Department based on concern about the conditions in Swedlund’s facility. This lawsuit follows the Prioritization of Animal Welfare Enforcement memorandum issued by the Attorney General in February.
USDA’s APHIS is investigating this matter for the federal government.
Brown said the shelter regularly runs overcapacity even in the new facility opened in 2025. But she said the shelter is doing okay with the exception of large breeds that can’t be kenneled. She said seized animals will cost on average about $500 each for dental, medical, services and staff time. So donations and sponsorships again are needed to help offset the costs. She also said there is a need for people to just come spend time with the dogs.
“We have a Dog Day Afternoon where you can get a dog for an afternoon. Take them out and just bring them back. People who can’t have dogs around their families can come spend some time with them. It’s like a library, just come check one out,” she said.
The animals will be required to stay on site in Fort Madison as the case winds through the court system.