A local animal shelter is taking care of two dogs that were in the custody of a Donnellson man now arrested and charged with animal neglect.
Jesse Elihu Burdette was taken into custody by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and charged with two counts of animal neglect causing injury, along with two counts of failure to provide rabies vaccinations, according to a press release. Authorities say the investigation began on Jan. 23, when the sheriff’s office received a report concerning two dogs at a rural Donnellson property. Upon arrival, deputies determined the animals were in urgent need of medical attention and proper shelter. The dogs were immediately seized and placed with PAW Animal Shelter.
According to a Facebook post from PAW Fort Madison Animal Shelter, the dogs — identified as Marley and Daisy — were rescued on an extremely cold day. Shelter officials reported the animals were severely underweight and struggled to stand at the time of their rescue.
