The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office has filed 31 counts of animal neglect against Wuanita N. Swedlund, 35, of Farmington in connection with the seizure of 31 animals from her Farmington property, according to a press release from Sheriff Brad Hudson.
Seven of the charges are being filed as serious misdemeanors, with the remaining counts filed as simple misdemeanors. The charges stem from a search warrant executed at the Swedlund residence on June 30th, 2026, during which 31 animals — mostly dogs — were seized.
The animals have since been permanently removed from Swedlund’s care by order of the Van Buren County District Court and placed with PAW Animal Shelter in Fort Madison. The USDA, Iowa Department of Agriculture, and PAW Animal Shelter assisted in the operation.
As Ottumwa Radio previously reported, the June 30th seizure followed a federal court order allowing USDA inspectors access to Swedlund’s facility for the first time in more than a year after she had allegedly blocked inspectors on multiple occasions. Swedlund has previously appeared on Humane World for Animals’ annual Horrible Hundred list of problem puppy mills.
