(Red Oak, IA) – An investigation in Montgomery County into alleged animal neglect in Villisca has resulted in the arrest of two women. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 51-year-old Denise Lea Vacanti and 21-year-old Savannah Christine Vacanti were arrested on two counts of animal neglect resulting in death, an aggravated misdemeanor, and one count of animal neglect resulting in injury, a serious misdemeanor.

Their arrests were the result of a search warrant executed Thursday (Jan. 22nd) at 408 South 2nd Avenue, in Villisca. At the scene, deputies rescued four dogs, four cats, two chickens, and four reptiles that were in poor health and living in “very poor” conditions due to the alleged neglect of the two women. The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines, which took possession of the animals to assess health concerns, injuries, and hygiene.

The Vacanti’s were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.