Suspect Arrested for Animal Neglect

An investigation by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control has resulted in the arrest of a suspect for Animal Neglect Causing Death and 7 counts of Animal Neglect.

 

Demetrius J. Huston-Stewart, DOB/01-30-1991, age 30, was arrested on Tuesday, July 6 at 3:20 p.m. and transported to the Linn County Correctional Center.

Cedar Rapids Police officers and Animal Care & Control officers received information about the alleged neglect on July 1, 2021, and were able to execute a search warrant on July 2, 2021 at 217 5th Street NW for further investigation.

 

Based on the investigation, Huston-Stewart had a Pit Bull Terrier who gave birth to several puppies. One puppy died while under the suspect’s care when the puppy was approximately 3 months old. The suspect left the dead puppy with the other dogs.

 

Animal Care & Control officers seized six puppies during a search warrant. The puppies were covered in urine and feces. According to veterinarian records, the puppies were very underweight and low on protein in their blood, which indicated the puppies were not being fed appropriately. The mother of the puppies was also underweight and the suspect is accused of not feeding the dog properly.

The puppies that survived are currently at Animal Care & Control and have reportedly responded well to being fed normally upon intake. The mother of the puppies is also under the care of Animal Care & Control and is recovering.

 

Cedar Rapids Municipal Code 23.30(a) states that no person shall cause or allow any cat or dog owned or harbored to breed without first obtaining a breeders permit. Permits are issued at Animal Care & Control, 7241 Washington View Parkway SW, for $50. Owners need to obtain a permit for each litter. Additional information is available at www.cedar-rapids.org/animal.

 

The Police Department and Animal Care & Control would also like to remind pet owners of minimum care requirements. Adequate food is defined as fresh nutritious food suitable for the species provided continuously or at suitable intervals in a sanitary manner in quantities sufficient to allow for normal growth or maintain good health and body weight in an animal considering its age and condition. Adequate water is defined as continual access to a supply of clean, fresh, potable water provided in a sanitary manner suitable for the species, condition and age of the animal in sufficient amounts to maintain good health in the animal. Such water will be provided in a secure manner so that the container cannot be overturned. Pet owners need to maintain all structures, pens, coops, kennels, yards or other areas wherein animals are confined in a clean and sanitary condition, devoid of vermin, and free of odors arising from feces and urine.

 

Disclaimer: Any arrest and complaint information included above is based on the legal conclusion that, as with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.