Animal Hoarding

Hoarding is one of the most egregious forms of animal neglect, affecting an estimated 250,000 animals annually (Christiansen et al., 2004). Animal hoarders commit animal neglect by actions or omission of actions that are attributed to complex and often misunderstood mental conditions (Bradley-Siemens et al., 2018). Hoarding and rescuing behaviors can be manifestations of complex neuropsychiatric disorders. Compulsive hoarding is identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). However in 2013, the American Psychiatric Association identified it as a distinct form of mental illness and it is generally viewed as a related OCD disorder by mental health experts (Bradley-Siemens et al., 2018). Animal hoarding is the compulsive need to collect and control animals without concern for any negative consequences to the animals or individuals.

Mental health conditions and personality disorders amid animal hoarders determine the form of neglect the animals may experience and cause barriers to constructive intervention. The stereotypical animal hoarder is the neighborhood “crazy cat lady,” but this syndrome is much broader and complicated. Over 70% of animal hoarders are women; however, animal hoarding spans most socioeconomic and demographic boundaries (Merck et al., 2013). The average age of women who hoard is 53, and 49 for men (Patronek et al., 2006; Bradley-Siemens et al., 2018). Hoarding can involve any species of animal (Merck et al., 2013). The rate of recidivism is almost 100%, primarily because mental health issues regarding the hoarder are not addressed (Patronek et al. 2006; Merck et al., 2013).

Figure 13.19 Wire kennel in central part of a hoarder house, everything was covered in a deep layer of feces, especially in the kennel.

Hoarding is defined by the presence of three key features: clutter and disorganization, unrestrained accumulation of animals, and the inability to discard or relinquish animals. Hoarding usually begins as selfish acts of concern to save animals (Bradley-Siemens et al., 2018). The compulsive caregiving behavior is increased in an attempt to satiate unfulfilled human needs, while disregarding or ignoring the requirements of the animals in their care (Patronek et al., 2006; Bradley-Siemens et al., 2018) (Figures 13.19 and 13.20).

Figure 13.20 Bathtub used as communal litterbox by cats in a hoarder home. Feces measure almost 12 inches deep.

Hoarding can take place in the individual’s home or in another facility; either may be misrepresented as a rescue or animal sanctuary. These may have legal nonprofit status with a 5O1.C.3 (Merck et al., 2013).

CASE 5: Animal Hoarding Felony (NBS)

History: A large-scale hoarding operation at two homes in a large municipality with over 200 dogs. This was brought to the attention of law enforcement due to noise, smell, and one of the caregiver’s volunteers reporting her because of the animal conditions. This caregiver was a 501.c.3 (collecting donations) and at times adopting out animals for a fee.

Physical Findings: Both locations were simultaneously raided. Many animals were sick or deceased. There were feces and urine everywhere in the homes and yard areas. Many dogs were running around loose on the properties; however, many were confined in kennels full of feces and urine without food or water. Expired and inappropriate medications were being used on animals.

Outcome: Many of the sick and deceased dogs had a zoonotic disease. The case proceeded to state superior court and lasted several days. The hoarder was convicted on hoarding-related charges at both misdemeanor and felony levels due to the zoonotic components in the case. In addition, board complaints were brought against veterinarians for providing medications via prescription without examining the animals and failing to report animal abuse.

Animal hoarders are usually known to animal welfare organizations in a given community. In many instances, the local humane society investigator or animal control officer has a longstanding case history with an individual hoarder. In addition, if intervention or prosecution has been pursued, law enforcement will have information about the individual.

In a 2006 presentation by R.L. Lockwood on "Hoarding: Psychology and Punishment,” typical animal hoarding behaviors consist of:

■ No admittance of visitors to the home.

■ Will not identify how many animals are in the residence.

■ Continued acquisition of new animals in the presence of declining health of resident animals.

■ Desire to care for animals who have contagious diseases or are paralyzed.

■ The number of staff/volunteers assisting the caregiver, if any, are not sufficient for the number of animals present.

Warning signs that a veterinarian may observe, which may indicate hoarding include a client who brings in multiple animals that may have only been seen once, lack of preventative care for the animals, and/or the animals are presented with extreme illness or injury. The hoarder may go to multiple veterinarians in the community. There may be a foul odor from the animal, animal carrier, or owner/caregiver (Merck et al., 2013; Bradley-Siemens et al., 2018).

One major problem with animal hoarders is they do not believe they are doing anything wrong. They will not acknowledge the deteriorating conditions of the animals or living environment (Merck et al., 2013). Hoarding is a form of severe neglect constituting animal abuse, and is often associated with child and elder abuse (Merck et al., 2013).

As discussed earlier, many animal hoarders are often known to animal welfare organizations or humane investigators in a community. These organizations have been contacted by veterinarians, law enforcement agencies, or other service (gas, water, power) agencies that have had contact with the hoarder or the residence/facility. In the author’s experience (NBS), the two primary things that alert outsiders to a hoarding environment are loud noises and/or foul odors from the animals. In these types of cases, animal welfare organizations and humane investigators first try to work

Animal Hoarding with the hoarder through voluntary relinquishment or sterilization of their existing animals. In addition, the humane investigator will contact social services in an attempt to provide assistance for the human victim/abuser. This may or may not be successful.

There are multiple routes to deal with an animal hoarder depending on local laws and resources. Ideally, enough evidence is amassed through multiple humane investigator site visits to obtain a search warrant and seize the animals. If access to a facility or residence cannot be obtained, homeowner associations, building code enforcement, public health inspectors, or animal control officers may be able to assist. There may be limits on the number of animals allowed in a dwelling, public health/safety concerns about odors or sanitation from animal urine and feces, noise levels from animals, or structural damage to a building. If the hoarder is registered as a nonprofit and the state regulates these nonprofit animal shelters/rescues, then the regulatory agency which enforces the statutes may be able to assist with the investigation and prosecution of these cases. These can all provide access into the home and can lead to an eventual search warrant or force the hoarder to move and find other lodgings, making the number of animals public as they attempt to move.

In the event authorities do seize the animals in a hoarding situation, it is a multidisciplinary endeavor usually involving animal welfare personnel, law enforcement, fire department HAZMAT teams, code enforcement personnel, social services, and many other entities (Patronek et al., 2006). Hoarders are a severe drain on local animal welfare organizations, quickly taking up limited kennel space in local shelters and raising potential public health/safety concerns due to the presence of urine and feces, rodents, and zoonotic diseases. The author (NBS) was involved in a large-scale hoarding case at two different houses with over 200 dogs. Many dogs, alive and deceased, had Leptospirosis.