Sioux City Journal

Woman accused of dumping dogs gets out of jail

By Molly Montag, Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, August 22, 2008

This springer spaniel, one of the 20 dogs dumped on the side of the road in Monona County was taken to the Siouxland Humane Society in Sioux City along with four other dogs. The dog has been adopted, and two of the other five dogs have been spoken for. Two labradoodles are still available for adoption. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- A Mapleton, Iowa, woman accused of dumping dead and dying dogs in Iowa and Nebraska is out of jail on bond.

Denise Withee of Mapleton, Iowa, was charged in Nebraska with five counts of cruel neglect of animals. She was released from jail on Tuesday after posting bond, and ordered to live with her sister in Hastings, Neb.

Officials in Monona County, Iowa, and Hall County, Neb., began investigating Withee earlier this month when residents in both states reported stray animals. In both cases, the animals were traced back to Withee by using microchip identification.

In Iowa, more than 20 dogs were found wandering along Monona County roads. Although police and animal-rescue organizations reported most of the animals were covered in urine and in poor condition, most of the animals survived.

However, Monona County Sheriff Sgt. Roger Krohn said four dogs were in such poor condition they were euthanized where they were found and another five dogs were euthanized by a veterinarian.

The rest were taken to local animal shelters, including the Siouxland Humane Society. Of the five dogs sent to the Siouxland Humane Society in Sioux City, one has been adopted into a new home and adoptions are under way for two more. Two labradoodles still do not have new homes.

The dogs found in Nebraska were in much worse condition, officials say.

A farmer near Grand Island found more than 20 dead dogs in a cornfield. Withee faces charges for five of the dogs that were among animals left in the field in late July or taken from Withee when she was arrested at a motel.

Authorities say the dogs died of dehydration, diseases and/or malnutrition.

Withee's preliminary hearing in Nebraska is Oct. 30. Iowa authorities said they also plan to file animal abuse charges against Withee.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Story Comments

animal rescuer wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:52 PM:

" To Erin. I will keep in contact with the Deputy in charge of the investigation as well as the larger animal organizations that protect animals. I am glad people are speaking out about this. It is about time. Over the last week someone dumped a litter of kittens by my house. They were not sick or abused. Just unwanted I guess. But come on lets stop the problem of over population and people just dumping the animals they no longer want. The kittens are now in my care. Keep speaking out to everyone. "

Erin wrote on Aug 28, 2008 1:03 PM:

" To Animal Rescuer: Is there anything we can do as a community to ensure this woman gets the punishment she deserves? Protest? Assemble? Anything? Additionally, to all who have posted comments, I am proud of your reactions. Not enough people speak out for abused animals who don't have a voice of their own. I am glad we all on this comment board have recognized this woman's disgusting crime as it is. "

jane wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:13 AM:

" to nj: i think they are still waiting for the results from the syringe. they are thinking it is not related as all the dogs died from starvation, malnutrition & dehydration. i don't know for sure, but i wonder if she wasn't just charged for 5 because only 5 of them had microchips. you would think a good lawyer could "link" all the rest of the dogs to the 5 with microchips.....it's not rocket science....the more charges, the better. "

animal rescuer wrote on Aug 23, 2008 9:10 PM:

" If you would like to see a picture of this person go to ktiv.com, do a site search (at top of screen) for Withee. You will get all the articles and some show a police photo. This person has been cruel and inhuman to animals since she was little. We thought she was stopped once before from doing these acts upon animals. I see now she was not.I was hoping to hear she would still be sitting in jail. I have contacted ASPCA The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and asked them to get involved in this. I hope Iowa charges her with several counts. I agree she NEEDS to be charged with a count for every life she took and /or damaged. All animals only want our love, care, and trust. "

nj wrote on Aug 23, 2008 12:29 PM:

" If there were more than 20 dead dogs in the field...why was she only charged for 5?!? "