News : Decision expected soon in Vinton animal case

Sometime today, Barbara (Babs) Galkowski and her lawyer will present to District Judge Patrick Grady a list of more than 500 animals she hopes the court will order returned to her. Galkowski, during about two hours on the witness stand Monday afternoon, told the court that "horrible timing" had led to the events resulting in the search warrant and the veterinarian-ordered removal of 700 animals from her home at 607 E. 6th Street. She testified that she had just brought in dozens of Guinea pigs and other animals that had been abandoned in Wisconsin, and that she had been sick the weekend before officers arrived on a Tuesday morning to execute the search warrant. A Vinton police officer testified that the search warrant was the result of city electric crews reporting seeing a constrictor snake when they were in the house. Those animals, under Vinton ordinances, are considered "dangerous" and not allowed within city limits. Galkowski testified that she knew the snake was not permitted, and that she knew that the city knew she had it, but was hoping to convince them to change the ordinance. She had asked City Administrator Chris Ward if she could get permission to breed snakes at her home; he told her that city ordinances to not allow that. Sitting at a table covered with scrapbooks and awards Galkowski's daughters had won at rabbit shows throughout the U.S., attorney Ray Scheetz asked Galkowskiabout her history with animals. She testified that since she was about 16, she has worked with a variety of animal groups and veterinarians, first in the Seattle area and later in California, learning about caring for and treating animals, although she has not had any formal veterinary training. Galkowski testified that she and her children raise hundreds of Guinea pigs and show rabbits, including many unique breeds. She told the court that her children have competed in events where there are thousands of animals, and have often achieved Top 5 awards. The family spends around $1,000 in animal food each month, she testified. Also, she said, many of the animals removed are rare show animals, and the family has invested a lot of money in buying and caring for them. Telling the court that one of her daughters has autism, Galkowski said, "Guinea pigs are my daughter's life." After listening to veterinarian Leigh Ennen discuss what she called "clearly neglected" animals that were "absolutely in danger" in the morning, Galkowski, under questioning from her lawyer, responded to those accusations by saying she had done all she could to care for the animals. She testified that the only animals suffering from neglect were those that she had rescued. Responding to the graphic description by Dr. Ennen of a rabbit that been so under-fed that had begun eating a dead rabbit in its cage, Galkowski said that it was actuall a stray cat that had gotten into the garage and begun eating the dead rabbit. Scheetz reviewed more than 30 photos that County Attorney David Thompson had displayed to the judge in the morning, and for each one, Galkowski testified that she had done all she could to feed and water the animals, and care for them. She testified that only the dirty cages ended up in the photos, and that there were many clean cages that the Vinton Police Department or the Cedar Valley Humane Society did not capture with their cameras. She also testified that the strong ammonia smell was the result of her being sick and unable to clean the basement for a couple of days. Galkowski told the judge she was "overwhelmed" by the rescue animals she had taken in, but is able to take care of her own animals, which total around 550 of those removed from the house. She testified that she has a turtle that has been depressed and is not eating because it misses one of the turtles taken from the home on Jan. 16. Thompson said Galkowski's list of animals she wants returned is expected to reach the court today, and that a decision in the case is expected soon. The County is requesting permanent custody of all animals, and also asking for authority to bill the Galkowskis for the cost of removing and caring for the animals. The lawyers also briefly discussed legal precedent and which laws should apply to this case. Scheetz asked the judge to use the guidelines for adequate care of animals in a commercial setting from Iowa Code Section 162.2. Thompson, however, said that the general animal provisions in Iowa Code 717 should apply in this case. This is a civil case involving only the disposition of the animals and the cost of their care. Local officials have not yet determined whether or not to charge Galkowski with violating city ordinances or state laws governing animal care.