According to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, ARL Animal Services Officers were called to an apartment at 3:30 AM on Thursday, 07/16/20, to assist Des Moines Police. They had discovered an adult dog who had been disemboweled with a knife -- but was still alive. Due to the severity of the animal's woulds, the ARL officers immediately euthanized the dog.
ARL Animal Services Officers were called to the same apartment complex at 10:00 AM on the same morning following reports that an 8-year-old kitten had been killed.
Necropsies were performed on both animals to assist the Des Moines Police with their criminal investigation.
We have now learned that a 17-year-old juvenile has been charged with two counts of animal torture in connection to these deaths. Animal torture is an aggravated misdemeanor in Iowa, punishable by a fine of $625 to $6250 and up to two years in prison.