It's a Ferret Life

Soldier’s wife pleads guilty to animal neglect

The wife of a Charles City soldier deployed to Iraq has been charged with animal neglect after abandoning the couple’s home and leaving behind four pets.

According to Floyd County Attorney Jesse Marzen, the simple misdemeanor charge was filed April 25 against Brandy Harris after the animals were discovered “emaciated and caked with their own excrement,” as described by Patricia Strottman. Harris’ husband, Sgt. Rodney Harris, had contacted Strottman from Iraq to check on his family and home at 904 Court St. in Charles City, after repeated attempts to reach them via e-mail and telephone.

“Just a horrendous scene,” is how Strottman, of Mason City, described what she found at the Harris house. She said the house had apparently been abandoned, with a 5-month-old Newfoundland puppy and a ferret both caged up and left behind, along with a cat and an older golden retriever running free inside the house.

“None of the animals had food and the ferret was the only animal with water available,” Strottman reported. “Fortunately, all of the pets will survive, but they required emergency veterinary treatment.”

Rodney Harris is deployed as part of a National Guard detachment from Charles City that has been serving in Iraq and isn’t expected home until July at the earliest. He owns the house that he shared with his wife and their two children and, according to a family friend, was home on leave in December.

It is not known at what point his family stopped living at the residence, or for just how long the animals were left unattended. However, Strottman reported upon entering the house, there were, “Dirty dishes, pots and pans covering every surface in the kitchen, food left to rot in the refrigerator, animal urine and feces on the floors, flies and maggots, children’s clothes and toys and other debris covering all floor space (contaminated with animal waste) and rotting bags of garbage piled outside.”

Strottman was given power of attorney to represent Rodney Harris and contacted local law enforcement officials and the Department of Human Services. Marzen said beyond the animal neglect charge that was filed, he was unable to comment further on the case because of, “an on-going criminal investigation.”

He also declined to release Brandy Harris’ current known address, other than to say it was different from the 904 Court St. address.

The Clerk of Court did report that Brandy Harris pled guilty to the animal neglect charge on May 11 and paid the $65 fine plus $90-plus in surcharge and court costs.

Members of the local Mothers of the Military Support (MOMS) and area-wide Operations Moms groups, meanwhile, became involved to help with a clean-up effort. They reported that nearly all of the household furnishings, appliances, clothing and children’s things had to be thrown out.

“We can’t let this soldier come home to this,” commented a volunteer cleaner. “We, as a community, can’t let him come home to this.”

“The stench was almost overpowering and the urine and feces were everywhere,” remarked Paula Kruthoff of Fredericksburg and Operation Moms (not to be confused with Paula Kruthoff of Charles City), who helped with some of the cleanup. “It’s gotten into the walls and flooring. We’ve been told it will cost $11,000 just for replacing the floors and walls.”

That’s why Strottman, at the urging of the MOMS and Operation Moms members, has established a special account at C US Bank in Charles City — called simply, “A Soldier’s Fund” — to collect donations to assist in the cleanup.

“There are no funds in this soldier’s (personal) account. Anything that you could do to help us get this soldier’s home ready for his return would be greatly appreciated,” Strottman states in the letter.

Kruthoff reported that Soldiers Angels, a nationwide support organization, has donated $2,000 toward the cleanup and recovery.

“Operation Moms in California is also doing a large garage sale this weekend in the Bay area, with all proceeds to go to this soldier in Charles City,” she noted.

Local businesses have also donated services or supplies, including Jendro Sanitation?Services, Superior Lumber and Bahlmann Flooring.

Donations may be left at, or mailed to:

A Soldier’s Fund
C US?Bank
1407 S. Grand Ave.
Charles City, Iowa 50616

As for the animals, Strottman explained they are now in her care until Rodney Harris returns.

Contact Mark Wicks This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or (641) 228-3211, Ext. 19