07/28/2026
UPDATE on the case of 32 dogs seized from USDA licensed dealer in Iowa
We are excited to inform you all that the first DOJ hearing for this case occurred on July 17th and the shelter was granted ownership of all of the dogs that were seized! This means that PAW Fort Madison Animal Shelter can now begin spaying/neutering the animals that are healthy enough and work on finding them their forever homes.
We also wanted to share that Wuanita Swedlund has officially cancelled their USDA license amidst the DOJ getting involved! While this appears like a 'win' on the surface, we want to chat about something larger.
This is one person in a network of facilities that all operate under the direction of a larger entity. Because of that a cancelled license has never meant 'closure' at this facility. While we can be hopeful that more enforcement appears to be happening, we want to leave space for the fact that this is (at least) the 3rd manager that operated this facility. Until the DOJ and USDA 'crack down' on the person behind the scenes pulling the strings, this type of behavior will continue to happen in this community.
You can learn more about that network of operations here: https://bailingoutbenji.com/steve-kruse-saga/
This is a large reason why Bailing Out Benji is focused on the system and just not the individual bad actors. While we do believe that Swedlund should be accountable for her actions, we know that her punishment won't stop the next person, or the next person.
If we want to truly see an end to puppy mills, we have to make sure there is meaningful regulation overseeing these facilities, as well as laws that match to help animals (and people) who find themselves victim to operations like these. We are grateful that there appears to be an appetite from the USDA and DOJ to continue looking at inhumane facilities with the goal of shutting them down, but Bailing Out Benji will continue monitoring those 'cancelled' licensees to see where they pop up next.
Usually that means we see them selling online or in the local newspaper. For those who have asked, Swedlund did not sell to stores directly. Our records show she sold to dog auctions and rescues.
