Three Storm Lake residents have been charged with child endangerment and animal neglect after more than 50 animals were removed from their home Wednesday. At approximately 2:20 p.m., the Storm Lake Police Department responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Michigan Street on a report that a large number of dogs and cats were being housed there. Upon arrival, authorities made contact with the occupants, 58-year-old Juana Munoz, 28-year-old Veronica Munoz, 22-year-old Myra Lopez-Munoz and one juvenile male. Police detected a dangerously strong odor coming from the residence, stemming from a large amount of feces and urine on the floor. The structure was evacuated, and officers returned later with personal protective equipment provided by the Storm Lake Public Safety Joint Lab Response Team. Police removed a total of 30 dogs and 21 cats from the residence. All of the animals were transported to Lake Animal Hospital in Storm Lake for evaluation and disposition. The three adults were charged Wednesday evening with one count of child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor, and 15 counts of animal neglect, a simple misdemeanor. They were booked into the Buena Vista County jail on a $6,500 bond each. The juvenile male was removed from the home and placed with a relative. Photos from the incident can be found included with this story on our website.
