A Lake Animal Hospital staff member has been charged with multiple counts related to falsifying information about the discovery of stray kittens.
According to the Storm Lake Police Department, officers were called to Lake Animal Hospital on May 27th regarding a staff member’s report that they had found stray kittens. One staff member, 32-year-old Heather Tuerck of Fonda, claimed that the kittens were found by an individual within city limits, who then relinquished them to the hospital.
Upon further investigation, police allege the kittens were found by an individual in Rembrandt who relinquished them and filled out documentation. Police allege Tuerck discarded the original form filled out by the individual and forged a record indicating the kittens were found within the City of Storm Lake, then provided that form to Storm Lake Police.
On May 30th, Storm Lake Police charged Tuerck with Forgery and Tampering With Records, both aggravated misdemeanors…and False Reports to Law Enforcement, a simple misdemeanor. Tuerck was issued a notice for a pending court appearance.
The Storm Lake Police Department was assisted by the Buena Vista County Attorney’s Office.
