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The Marshall County Sheriff's Office understands that concerns involving animals can be emotional and often require immediate attention. We want our citizens to understand what our role is under Iowa law and what they can expect when reporting animal related concerns.
In Iowa, Sheriffs and deputies are first and foremost responsible for public safety, law enforcement, civil processes, court security, prisoner extraditions, and county jails. While we respond to situations involving animals when there is an immediate threat to public safety, criminal violation, or another law enforcement matter, the Sheriff’s office is not a full-service animal control agency for incorporated communities. It is the responsibility of those incorporated communities to provide animal control.
In Marshall County there are 13 incorporated communities; Albion, Clemons, Ferguson, Gilman, Haverhill, Laurel, Le Grand, Liscomb, Marshalltown, Melbourne, Rhodes, State Center, and St Anthony.
Animal control responsibilities and local ordinances vary by county and city throughout Iowa. Depending on the location and nature of the complaint, issues involving stray animals, nuisance animals, shelter operations, licensing, and routine animal care fall under the jurisdiction of local government or contracted animal shelters rather than Sheriff's Offices. It is important to know your city and county ordinances in your area. Do not rely on social media as your only source of information as far too often are one-sided opinions or statements that are not completely fact based or provide accurate legal interpretation.
Marshall County animal welfare enforcement has not changed; Deputies will respond and enforce applicable State animal laws throughout unincorporated areas of Marshall County and valid local ordinances in incorporated communities under current intergovernmental agreements (28E) with the Marshall County Sheriff's Office when:
o An aggressive animal poses an immediate danger to people or livestock.
o Mistreatment of animals (domesticated and livestock) is suspected, and a criminal investigation is warranted.
o Livestock or other animals create a roadway hazard or public safety emergency.
o Livestock transportation violations.
o Disputes over ownership or custody of branded animals.
Additionally, Marshall County Sheriff's Office and Marshall County Public Health coordinate investigations of:
o Animal bites (domesticated and wild animals).
o Animals requiring rabies vaccinations and NOT wearing rabies vaccination tags OR proof of rabies vaccination.
o Quarantine and Confinements of animal bite cases.
o Administering Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis as recommendations by Iowa Health and Human Services.
Complaints involving stray pets, lost animals, or shelter intakes may be referred to appropriate city officials or animal welfare organizations when it does not involve a law enforcement issue. Whether or not a contractual agreement between local authority or government is in place does NOT control citizen interaction with a non-profit organization such as licensed animal shelters or rescues.
Stray unvaccinated animals can be surrendered or accepted by licensed animal shelters or rescue facilities by citizens regardless of residency or contractual agreement with municipalities or political subdivisions. It is up to individual facilities to accept or deny the animal.
Licensed pounds can only receive animals from municipalities or other political subdivisions with an agreement.
An organization's own policies regarding which animals it will accept may be more restrictive than what is required under Iowa's Animal Welfare laws. Therefore, whether a particular organization chooses to accept a stray or surrendered animal may also depend upon that organization's policies or current housing availability and should not necessarily be interpreted as a licensing restriction.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) regulates what facilities can and cannot accept animals depending on licensing status. If you have questions, we encourage you to visit IDALS website Animal Welfare | Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for additional information.
Joel Phillips is the Marshall County Sheriff.