32 Dogs Seized After Court Orders Access for USDA to Inspect Iowa Dog Breeder’s Facility

Yesterday afternoon, Iowa law enforcement seized 32 dogs from a dog breeder, Wuanita Swedlund, and placed them in a local animal shelter. The seizure occurred after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Swedlund 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).

"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 TRO and preliminary injunction, Swedlund allegedly engaged in a pattern and practice of violating the AWA while operating a dog breeding facility in Farmington, Iowa. 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 TRO 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 under the TRO. 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. All 32 dogs found at the facility have been placed in a local animal shelter.

The USDA referred this matter to the Justice Department based on concern about the conditions in Swedlund's facility. The temporary restraining order will assist USDA with assessing the health and well-being of the animals in Ms. Swedlund's possession. 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.

Trial Attorneys Kamela A. Caschette, Michelle M. Spatz, and Bonnie M. Ballard of ENRD's Wildlife and Marine Resources Section are handling this matter.