Town and Campus resident charged with criminal animal neglect

Hunter
02/07/24

An Iowa City man was arrested on a warrant stemming from an incident last fall where he allegedly allowed two dogs in his care to become emaciated.

Animal Services were called to the Town and Campus Apartments on Arthur Street the afternoon of September 21st after the Water Department alerted them to two dogs in an apartment that was having their water service terminated. Animal Services responded and got police involved.

The arriving officer witnessed the dogs in very, very poor condition; severely emaciated, covered in urine and feces and confined in wire crates with no tray. The dogs were also standing atop packed feces and puddles of urine. Both dogs suffered from compression sores and starvation.

32-year-old Nicholas Wayne reportedly lives with a roommate. He allegedly admitted to letting the dogs out “a few days ago” and stated the dogs belonged to his roommate.

Police say Wayne was able to care for the dogs, but he chose not to.

A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was taken to the Johnson County Jail Tuesday afternoon. He’s charged with Animal Neglect with Injury, a serious misdemeanor punishable by a jail term of up to one year if convicted.