POLK COUNTY, Iowa — More than a dozen neglected animals were seized from a mobile home in northeast Des Moines Wednesday, and one woman was arrested in connection with the case.
Michelle Ackelson, 41, was booked into the Polk County Jail on 5 counts of animal neglect with serious injury or death(aggravated misdemeanors) and 13 counts of animal neglect with injury(serious misdemeanors). She was given pretrial release on Thursday.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a search warrant was served on a residence in the 800 block of N.E. 46th Avenue for animal neglect Wednesday. The Animal Rescue League is caring for 17 animals that were recovered alive from the mobile home. They were all considered to be in poor health according to the PCSO. One animal was found to be deceased.
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Court documents filed in the case reveal the mix of animals was cats, rats, bearded dragons, chickens, dogs, a ferret, and a deceased parakeet.
Ackelson didn’t live in the mobile home, where she was keeping the animals, according to court records. Animal feces were on the floor, tables, counters, and other items in the home, and there was a strong odor of animal urine…