Animal Hoarding: Criminal Act or Illness?

Recently,  In Defense of Animals – Hope Animal Sanctuary (IDA-HAS) had two cases which involved responding to activities at the respective homes of a couple and an individual who IDA-HAS had previous involvement with.  In the case of the couple, they called saying they had puppies that had to go the very next day as they would be traveling.  And no, they couldn’t even be bothered to go out of their way at al to bring the pups over to us. As the couple had clearly went against their previous agreement with IDA-HAS by not calling when they acquired dogs who “wandered up” to their home, a home inspection was due.  IDA-HAS had left the couple with a few spayed and neutered animals when our staff took 63 dogs and pups in 2015 away from the hell the couple had created for them.

It was nearly a shock to see the new home and property the couple had moved to.  Yes, they had dogs, but they were confined in acceptable enclosures that were maintained.  In the case of this couple, the cause of their “hoarding” and difficulty in controlling their tendency to have too many animals is the lack of animal services in their region and too big hearts to say no.  At least they called for help for the pups and the female who wandered up is to be spayed as soon as she’s recovered from nursing.  The male, though they said was unknown, was clearly one of their dogs.  He is slated for neutering.

The second case involves a hoarder who is deceptive, conniving and flat out selfish.  She is the classic “hoarder.” She is driven to collect living beings to fulfill her needs.  She resists all intervention until legal action comes into play.

How do you control the hoarding of a person who moves frequently? This is the third residence from which IDA-HAS has taken animals from her, and she has no more concern for her hygiene and health than the animals she “takes in” and for those given to her by unsuspecting people who believe she’s a rescuer.

Let’s first address the people who can clearly see this woman is on the edge herself.  She’s unkempt, frail, and within a moment of speaking with her,  anyone would know not to entrust a living being to her.  Those that go ahead and do so anyway are the enablers – the folks who are only interested in ridding themselves of the care or concern for an animal.  Finally, the greatest factor is the laxity of law.

Even if a hoarder is taken to court and convicted of the mass and gross neglect of animals, the penalty is a misdemeanor and the judge may only enforce a two-year order for the hoarder not to have an animal.  A repeat offense is still a misdemeanor and these folks frequently move from county to county, not because they have means, but because they either destroy the residence they live in or are booted out if renting.

True hoarding is a madness that may never be overcome without serious outside intervention.  The IDA-Justice for Animals Campaign has the issue of hoarding on its radar and will push for its inclusion in ordinances and statutes.  In a region where economics play a huge role in decision making, and state resources for assistance for people with mental illness is stretched thin, laws must be used as the tools to spare the animals who are subjected to filthy, crowded environments with poor and little sustenance.  If legally removing the temptation of taking in more animals is the only help these individuals get, it’s a start.