Man Sentenced To Probation For Animal Neglect

A Maquoketa man has been sentenced to two years of probation in an animal neglect case. 30-year-old Fabian Swank received the sentence from Iowa District Associate Judge Robert Richter in Iowa District Court of Dubuque County after pleading guilty to a charge of animal neglect resulting in death. As part of his probation, Swank is not allowed to own any pets. Swank was charged with neglect after court documents state his dog was found tied up next to an empty tent at Swiss Valley Park Campground on Aug. 23. The dog was taken to a veterinary office where it later died. Swank was located and told authorities he had tied the dog up next to his tent but left the animal unattended for about four hours while he traveled to Dubuque to do his laundry. Dubuque tied a daily heat record that day with a temperature of 97 degrees. The peak heat index was 118 degrees.