By Courtney Fiorini, Mason City Globe Gazette

 

NORTHWOOD — A North Iowa woman accused of running a puppy mill will be allowed to see 13 of the animals she is seeking custody of before they are moved to another location outside the county, a magistrate has ruled.

Barbara Kavars, 65, of Manly, Iowa, made the request while also asking Worth County Magistrate Court to allow her to keep nine Samoyeds and four cats seized by the Worth County Sheriff’s Office and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last month.

Kavars, who claims she did not neglect the animals, has not been charged with a crime. The ASPCA said charges are pending.

Winnebago County Attorney Kelsey Beenken, who is representing Worth County in the case, told the court Tuesday ASPCA may have to move the 13 animals, as the sheriff’s office may not be able to renew the lease where the animals are being held.

ASPCA staff are caring for the dogs at an undisclosed location in Worth County.

Beenken asked the court for authorization to move the animals to one of the ASPCA’s secure facilities out of state or to an ASPCA partner agency in the state.

Kavars’ attorney, Michael Byrne, said she wanted the animals to stay together in Iowa and also requested the opportunity to visit the animals before their possible move.

If the Worth County Sheriff’s Office cannot extend its lease, Magistrate Douglas Krull ordered it can move the animals to another facility in the state that is ASPCA secure or a partner agency.

“The agencies shall make all reasonable attempts to keep the animals together, especially by type (cats together and dogs together),” court documents said.

The animals may be moved only after 48-hour notice to Kavars’ attorney of the impending move.

Krull is expected to rule on Kavars’ ownership claim of the 13 animals by the end of the month.