PALMER, IOWA – Police and animal rescue authorities converged upon this Northern Iowa house and nearby camper and discovered over a dozen dogs living in filthy conditions, leading to their rescue and charges brought against four persons.
On August 14, 2025, at approximately 12:36 PM, the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office arrived at 117 Main Street in Palmer, Iowa, to assist the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Moffitt Animal Shelter. The Moffitt Animal Shelter had received an anonymous report of possible animal neglect occurring at this residence.
Upon investigation, ten dogs were removed from the residence, and an additional four dogs were removed from a camper that was parked near the residence due to unsanitary living conditions.
According to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, “Our team arrived to find dogs in a house and four dogs trapped in the bathroom of a camper on the same property. In both areas, feces, urine and other debris covered the floors. The smell was overwhelming, and our rescuers’ eyes burned as they removed each dog.
“The dogs themselves were in rough shape, one poor dog so painfully matted she could not move normally. Others were suffering from hair loss, skin issues and curled, overgrown nails. There were already nearly 1,400 pets in our care, but these 11 couldn’t wait. They needed help.”
The following individuals have been arrested and charged with Animal Neglect, a Simple Misdemeanor:
- Bernadette Tevalan-Hernandez (61) – 6 Counts
-
Grace Gonzalez (42) – 3 Counts
-
Armando Sosa (51) – 1 Count
-
Andrea Gonzalez (19) – 1 Count
(TOP PHOTO of one of the neglected dogs, via the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.)