Hunter
08/20/26
Two Iowa City residents face decades in prison after a search warrant of their residence turned up an unlicensed breeding facility, with dogs on site suffering from starvation.
The search warrant was executed on July 2nd at the Taft Avenue residence of 34-year-old Rhoda Gorvin and 32-year-old Antonio Polland of the Breckenridge Estates Mobile Home Park for animal welfare concerns. The warrant resulted in the seizure of 32 dogs from the property.
The couple reportedly had dogs confined to kennels throughout the home and a shed. Authorities say both the home and the shed had a pungent odor of feces and urine, due to a long-term lack of sanitary conditions. Polland allegedly admitted to selling dogs and running a business on the property with Gorvin, despite not being licensed breeders.
The dogs had no access to food or water, and most of the dogs were underweight when examined by a vet. Others had untreated skin conditions, live fleas and untreated dental and eye issues. Three had to be euthanized due to their conditions.
A warrant was issued on August 14th, and the couple was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon.
Both Gorvin and Polland have been charged with Animal Neglect, three counts of Animal Neglect with Serious Injury or Death, and 22 counts of Animal Torture. If convicted on all counts, they could each be sentenced to over 116 years in prison.