One of these groups and probably the most well known is the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown. The Animal Rescue League is a non-profit animal shelter that opened in 1948 which tries to house stray and unwanted animals.

The city has contracted with the Animal Rescue League to have them do some of the animal control duties, such as catching animals that are running loose.

A dog can be picked up by the police or Animal Rescue League if it is deemed “at large” which means the dog is off the premises of the owner or upon the public streets, alleys, public grounds, school grounds or parks within the city without a leash and/or without an owner.

Shelly Deal, the executive director of the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown, said animals are brought to the Animal Rescue League by either police, people finding animals and bringing them in or by the Animal Rescue League being called out.

TR PHOTOS BY LOGAN METZGER Benny, a male Chihuahua, is up for adoption at he Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown and was taken in as a stray but never claimed by an owner. According to the Animal Rescue League he likes children and likes playing with balls that bounce.

In 2017, 220 stray dogs were taken in by the Animal Rescue League. In 2018, 254 stray dogs were taken in by the Animal Rescue League — 101 were brought in by the public, while 153 were seized by the by either the police or the Animal Rescue League.

“We saw an increase of dogs and cats living in the rubble on the northside of town after the tornado,” Deal said. “Some we were able to find their owners.”

So far in 2019, 102 stray dogs have been taken in by the Animal Rescue League.

Deal said stray dogs can possibly attack other dogs and animals, cause dangers to humans and possibly get hurt themselves.

“The dog at large is not always a ‘bad guy,’ they are more likely to get hit by a car or get attacked by a diseased animal,” Deal said.

Deal said to reduce the chance of having a dog run loose to take these precautions:

– Make sure tie outs are secure

– Check fencing for holes and make sure the dog cannot jump the fence

– Stay outside with the dog while it is outside

– Make sure to have a leash on the dog before opening the door

– Be aware of the dog’s fears in case it would run, like during a storm or during fireworks

Reporting a missing dog

To report a missing dog, call the Animal Rescue League at 641-753-9046 and/or the Marshalltown Police Department at 641-754-5725. The Animal Rescue League holds animals brought in for seven days before they become the owners.

The Animal Rescue League lists all animals in its possession on its website at http://www.arlmarshalltown.com/adopt/Dogs.html.

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Contact Logan Metzger at

641-753-6611 or

lmetzger@timesrepublican.com