News : Hearing under way to determine fate of animals seized from Vinton home

Scrapbooks and awards won by Babs Galkowski cover the table where she and her lawyer sit during the hearing that began this morning. Galkowski and her lawyers are seeking the return of the animals removed Jan. 16 from her Vinton home. Q: "So they sit in their food bowls and they poop?" A: "Yes." The unique case of animal hoarding involving Vinton residents Barbara (Babs) and Marshall Galkowski led to some unique questions and answers on the topic of the digestive tendencies of rabbits and Guinea pigs, and some colorful courtroom conversation Monday. At issue in the civil case that started this morning is whether Benton County should keep the animals taken two weeks ago from the Galkowski residence on West 6th Street, or whether the county must return the animals to the couple. Argued in front of District Judge Patrick Grady, this case only involves custody of the animals, and whether or not the county can assess the cost of caring for the 700 or so animals removed from the home to the Galkowskis. The Q & A session mentioned at the top of this story came at the end of the testimony of Veterinarian Leigh Ennen, who helped remove the animals from the Galkowski home on Jan. 16. Asking the question was lawyer Raphael Matthew (Ray) Scheetz III, of Cedar Rapids. Scheetz, while cross-examining Dr. Ennen, had read from a manual created by the Merck company offering guidance for caring for Guinea pigs. That manual, said the lawyer, indicated that cages should be cleaned weekly, and that water bowls are likely targets for guinea pig poop. However, the veterinarian had testified that proper care of Guinea pigs includes using water bottles, rather than bowls, to provide hydration to the animals. Dr. Ennen had testified that she ordered the removal of the animals from the Galkowski home because the animals there "clearly neglected" and "absolutely in danger." One of the conditions Dr. Ennen mentioned frequently was the presence of feces and/or urine and other contaminants in food and water bowls. Ennen was the second witness in the case that began Monday morning. First on the stand was Preston Moore of the Cedar Valley Humane Society, one of several employees who helped remove the animals from the scene. Under questioning from Benton County Attorney David Thompson, Moore discussed several photos taken at the home. Those photos showed the living conditions of the animals, which authorities say included lack of food and water as well as living animals sharing cages with dead animals. Dr. Ennen testified that in one cage, a rabbit had died and another rabbit had started eating its corpse -- a sign, she said, of serious nutrition deficiency, because only in desperate situations will a rabbit eat meat. During cross-examination, Scheetz showed the vet several receipts showing that the Galkowskis had regularly bought rabbit and Guinea pig food in 50- and 100-pound bags, and had sought veterinarian care for some of their animals. The trial is expected to continue this afternoon, with one or more witnesses for the county before the Galkowskis have the chance to tell their story to the judge. This case is in civil court, and only affects the animals. Authorities have not yet decided to charge the couple under local animal ordinances or with any crimes involving state laws against animal neglect or cruelty.