39 animals seized from West Greenwich home

Authorities have seized more than three dozen animals without food and water from a West Greenwich home, including 18 rabbits, seven ducks, four cats, two geese, two doves, two pigeons and two chinchillas.

The Providence Journal reports police discovered the animals on Sunday after someone reported two domestic rabbits hopping around the front yard.

A police officer found several rabbits in cages on the porch with no food or water, and, through the window, spotted another rabbit in a cage inside without food or water.

He went inside and discovered the other animals living in squalor inside the two-bedroom home..."  More

Duluth: More than 60 cats seized from home

Duluth animal-control workers are dealing with an animal-hoarding case involving more than 60 cats and kittens found in a Central Hillside home.

"We are still working on the details of it," Duluth Police Department's lead animal-control worker Carrie Lane said. "We have gotten 63 cats out of the house."

The felines are being cared for and examined at the city's animal-control shelter while the Animal Allies Humane Society scrambles to make room for them at its shelters in Duluth and Superior.

"This is one of the largest hoarding situations that Animal Allies has experienced and will be one of the most difficult challenges we have faced," Animal Allies Executive Director Rick Sailstad said in a news release. "We are asking animal lovers and the community at large to help us care and find loving homes for these cats and kittens."

Most of the cats are in fairly good physical condition and can be handled, Lane said.

"As is very common with hoarders, I think he has been neglecting himself to take care of the cats," she said. "We are working to determine whether or not this person can care for himself."

The hoarding was discovered as animal-control workers investigated a problem with stray cats..."  More

Aurora Man Hoarded Hundreds Of Birds

By Amy Cavanaugh 

We've heard about plenty of cases of cat and dog hoarding, but the latest animal hoarding story makes us even more squeamish—an Aurora man's home has been condemned after it was found with hundreds of birds.

A paint contractor spotted the birds on Wednesday and called the authorities, who searched the home on Friday. Some of the birds were dead and there's a ton of trash everywhere. Rescuing the birds is on hold because no one is allowed into the house until the results of an air quality test come in on Monday. Most of the birds are not in cages and according to ABC 7, you can see the birds "fluttering in the window." The man is 57 and cooperating with authorities, so we hope this case is resolved quickly—there's a reason The Birds is our least favorite Hitchcock movie..."  Link

KC Motel Investigation: Feces, Fleas and Drugs

Police arrested six people Wednesday morning when they were called out to 43rd and North Prospect in Kansas City, Mo., to investigate illegal drug use and animal hoarding at a motel.

Police say they have received about one hundred complaints this year alone about activity at the Extended Stay Inn, according to Police Sergeant Marissa Barnes with the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.

When they arrived at the motel on Wednesday, they found dozens of cats and dogs and say many of the rooms are uninhabitable with animal feces, fleas, mold, and drugs.

“Definitely some fire safety issues. I mean this whole back side. Most of it’s boarded up. We’re having problems with people coming in here and squatting or coming in here and taking copper and stuff. It’s just an ongoing problem. It’s a den for crime right now,” said Sgt. Daniel Graves.

Wednesday afternoon, authorities were still waiting for the owner of the motel to arrive before they determined if they will shut down the motel. If they do condemn it, as many as 50 people living there will be forced out.

“After bouncing around from shelter to shelter, we found this place. And we talked to the people at first. And we wanted to know, is this safe? Because I have a daughter,” said one resident named Ashley Watson as she began to cry. “And they all told us it was safe. They told us it was a nice place. And they lied. They lied so much.”

Ashley lives with her family at the motel after they lost their other home. She has a 14-month-old daughter..."  More

Woman Facing Charges For Hoarding Over 60 Animals

by Shawndrea Thomas

On Monday morning Edwardsville police served a search warrant at 73 birdie court after a series of at least 10 complaints and code violations since 2009. City officials say there were problems with un-kept grass and weeds.

One of the most recent was a stench coming out of the house.  When police entered the home they discovered at least 60 animals inside, 57 cats and 3 dogs living in unsanitary conditions.

A woman and her 18-year-old daughter lived in the house. Metro East Human Society Executive Director Kathy Turner says this case was shocking.

“Obviously there’s some mental illness issues going on they think they’re doing them a favor they are not we know that,” said Turner.

The Metro East Humane Society took in the animals. Now they’re being treated and nursed back to health. Unfortunately, one of the dogs and a cat died in the process. The Edwardsville city building inspector says the house on Birdie Court is unsafe..."  More

Animal Control investigates report of dog hoarding in Union; seven dogs seized

Seven dogs and a cat were seized by Porter County Animal Control on Monday from a residence in the 400 block of Sturgeon Drive in Union Township, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police said.

The owner of the animals is facing a possible charge of cruelty to vertebrate animals.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Animal Control Officer Patrick Cassin, on Oct. 4 a neighbor complained about the smell—which “had gotten increasingly worse over the course of the last five years”—from a home across the street. Cassin attempted to speak to the property owner that day but was unable to make contact, although he did observe “a strong odor of animal feces coming from inside the residence,” he stated in his affidavit.

Two days later, Cassin returned, went to the back, and observed through a sliding glass door animal feces so thick on the floor that “the actual floor itself could not be seen,” he stated. Once again, however, he was unable to make contact with the property owner.

Then, on Thursday, concerned about the property owner’s welfare, a PCSP was dispatched to the residence, where he also failed to make contact but did say, after looking through the windows, “that the inside of the residence was in disarray and filled to approximately chest height (five feet) with trash.”..."  More

Valpo area home raided for animal neglect

By Amy Lavalley 

As officials from Porter County Animal Control and the county’s animal shelter rounded up her pets, Deborah Brewer blamed “a severe depression” for the condition of her house, which reportedly was, in some places, inches deep with animal feces.

“It’s my worst nightmare, taking the only things I love in this world,” she said Monday outside her home at 405 Sturgeon Drive, in the Salt Creek Commons subdivision. She said she is willing to relinquish her dogs to the Porter County Animal Shelter for adoption, but not her 10 cats.

“I cannot afford to bail them out,” she said of the dogs, adding she knows they will be properly cared for if they are adopted.

In all, Animal Control seized seven dogs and one cat from the home; Brewer agreed to surrender the rest of the cats once she catches them.

Brewer, 61, faces charges of animal neglect, a Class A misdemeanor; the case is being forwarded on to the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office. Brewer must post bond for a hearing to get her pets back; if she does not post bond in 10 days, they will be put up for adoption..."  More

Meth making, cat hoarding home comes down

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• Lysee Mitri

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A dangerous home with a history of making meth and hoarding cats is being torn down in Albuquerque South Valley.

The Bernalillo County Health Department and Animal Control first inspected the home, located on the 2100 block of Metzger, a year ago after receiving a complaint about too many animals being located on the property.

Officials found piles of trash, feces and more than a dozen cats. But that was just the start of it, upon further investigation the strong smell of chemicals led inspectors to the making of a meth lab.

County officials say they had no other choice but to tear the problem house down, and that’s exactly what they did.

After coming to an agreement with the property owner, bulldozers came out the home Tuesday to take it down.

Nearby residents say they’re happy to see the house come down. Demolition crews dug straight into the roof Tuesday and will continue through Wednesday to finish taking the house down..."  More & video

SPCA seizes 51 animals at Adams County farm

The Adams County SPCA has seized 51 animals at a farm near East Berlin.

A humane officer said some of the animals were found dead or near death with parasites, untreated wounds and signs of malnutrition. A dozen cats had to be euthanized after they were seized.

Calves, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, horses and rabbits were seized, according to a property owner.

The property owner said the animals were not neglected or distressed.

The SPCA plans to file charges including animal cruelty..."  Link & video

Police: Dog breeder cited for animal cruelty in E.B

EAST BRUNSWICK — Summonses have been issued to a township woman who police said was breeding and hoarding more than 60 Shih Tzus in her Rues Lane home.

Ellen Shih was cited for 63 counts of animal cruelty, 63 counts of failure to provide veterinary care, 58 counts of unlicensed dogs and 58 counts of no rabies inoculation. Police said Shih used to breed and sell the dogs, but the situation had become “unmanageable.”

According to police, the dogs were found in poor condition, with flea infestation, flea dermatitis, contact dermatitis, conjunctivitis and other health conditions when the Helmetta Animal Control Service went to the home on Sept. 27 in response to complaints of possible animal hoarding. The dogs were removed and taken to the Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter, Main Street.

After reports of the dogs’ removal surfaced in the local media, dozens were quickly adopted by new owners.

Brandon Metz, an animal control officer for the Helmetta Animal Control Service, said that as of Oct. 9, only nine of the 63 dogs remained at the shelter. The majority of the remaining dogs are pregnant females, he said..."  More

Animal Hoarding In Santa Ana: 23 Cats, 8 Kids Found In Urine-Soaked Home

By Kathleen Miles 

Officials essentially walked into a zoo of a home in Southern California Tuesday.

Responding to a complaint about a foul smell, Animal Control arrived to a Santa Ana home covered in urine and feces that was home to 23 cats, eight kids, one dog and an African grey parrot, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Authorities said that the smell of ammonia was so strong that they called in a hazmat team, KTLA reports. The stench was exacerbated by the Southland's triple-digit heat.

Child Protective Services officials went to the schools of the children, aged two to 17, to check if they have respiratory problems, fleas or other health issues, ABC reports. The animals were taken to a shelter to be cared for..."  More

Deputies Remove Teen, Animals from Couple

By Cristina Frank
By Kelly McCarthy

Thirteen animals, including dogs, horses and donkeys, and a teenager are rescued from a home in Windsor after neighbors complain about deplorable living conditions.
    
The Broome Sheriff's deputies arrested two adults living there, and removed a 13-year-old girl from the home by Child Protective Services.

Colin Zeidensten-Wilson and Jenn Xancada, both 32 and of Windsor, are charged with misdemeanors endangering the welfare of a child and animal cruelty, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Deputies said they arrived on the property around 10 a.m. Monday with a search warrant to find two horses malnourished and with visible sores. That prompted authorities to remove all 13 animals from the property.

"The next step for us here is getting these animals seized and into areas where they can be better taken care of," said Sgt. Jason Ellis.

Investigators said the conditions for the child and the animals were unberable.

Neighbors say the trailer is in such poor condition, the family has been living behind the property in a tent for the past six months..."  More & video

Animals in the House: Animal Hoarders Ð Do You Know Any?

By NANCY KERNS

At the Northwest SPCA and most other animal shelters, we frequently receive dogs and cats that were seized by authorities. While cruelty cases involving animals who were outrageously abused or tortured are usually the only ones that make headlines in newspapers or on the Internet, we receive far more animals from cruelty cases that involve animal hoarding. These stories rarely make headlines, unless the number of animals involved number in the hundreds.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies animal hoarding with other compulsive hoarding behaviors and links it to obsessive compulsive disorder. An animal hoarder is described as someone who has more animals than they can adequately care for, while denying that inability.

Generally, hoarders strongly believe they are doing what's best for the animals in their care; they may have a strong conviction that they are saving the animals' lives — even if there are starving, fatally ill, or dead animals among the population of animals in their homes or on their property.

Many if not most animal hoarders were, at one time, well-meaning and capable animal caretakers, who provided excellent food, veterinary care, and housing for their pets. Some actually start out saving animals lives as providers of last-resort sanctuary for unwanted animals..."  More

Search Warrant Reveals Hoarding

Channel 6 News has obtained a search warrant application that paints an awful picture of what could be found inside a home -- hoarding, frozen animals, urine-soaked carpets. While the living conditions were poor, according to the Humane Society, the homeowner proved he deserved to be a pet owner.

Meet Oliver and Maggie. They are two Pekingese dogs seized from a northwest Omaha home last week. They're in good shape.

The Nebraska Humane Society took them because there were eight in the home. And the law allows for a homeowner to have a maximum of three.

"This individual loved the dogs," said Mark Langan with the Humane Society. "They were very well taken care of and we were surprised. Very well groomed. Well fed and well watered. The problem was the living conditions. The high ammonia smell and the urine soaked carpet. That's why we confiscated the dogs."

The man ticketed for animal cruelty is 73.

He didn't want to go on camera -- but told Channel 6 News he had since cleaned up the place at 127th Avenue and Laurel.

Investigators were satisfied since he got some of the dogs back.

In fact -- the three original Pekingese ran to the door when we stopped by.

Investigators also confirmed the search warrant complaint about dogs that were frozen in the kitchen freezer.

"Sadly we see in hoarding situations like this -- when one of the animals dies -- they will freeze it because they can't part with that animal," said Langan. "There's no indication this animal had been abused - he died of old age. He didn't want to part with it so he wrapped it up very nicely and put it in the freezer. And that's not uncommon in hoarding situations."..."  More

23 Cats, 8 Kids Found Living in Urine Soaked Home

Animal Control officers have seized 23 cats and other animals from a urine soaked home in Santa Ana.

It all began with a complaint about a smell coming from a home on the 1500 block of West 6th Street.

When officers arrived, they say the smell of ammonia was so strong, they called in a hazmat team.

"One room has nothing but cats in it, a lot of feces, a lot of urine, the smell of the room was really bad," said Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

There were 23 cats, a dog and an African grey parrot living in the house as well as ten people, eight of which were children..."  More

More than 100 animals rescued from a home in Person County

More than 70 of the 100 or more animals seized in Person County on Tuesday have been transported to Greensboro to receive medical treatment for starvation, abuse and neglect.

Officers say nearly 100 animals including, dogs, cats, horses, birds and a donkey were found living in deplorable conditions after Person County deputies served a search-and-seizure warrant on the property. Area organizations helped local animal control and rescued 39 horses and nearly 70 small-breed dogs, cats and birds kept at the property

“It was one of the saddest places I’ve been,” explained Marsha Williams, with the Guilford County Animal Shelter.

The Guilford County Animal Shelter first heard about the situation last week.  A couple of workers went to Person County to help out and bring a few animals back, but once they arrived they realized the situation was bigger and worse than they thought.

“We had to think quick on our feet and figure out how we were going to make this happen,” explained Williams.

The horses were described as very thin. Some are suffering from medical issues that require immediate attention. Ten of them were brought to Guilford County..."  More

More Than 200 Animals Seized By County Amid Allegations Of Neglect, Hoarding & Abuse

 by Travis Koch

Police say they found the remains including skulls to some 30 animals at a home where the owners ran a business called the Magical Miniature Horses ranch located on White School House Road in Cave Junction.

It took nearly three days for the sheriff's department and animal control to remove all of the animals from the property. The animals are being held at an undisclosed location until the court decides where they should go. Because of the conditions of some of the animals they will have to be euthanized. The home owner was in the hospital at the time of the search but according to our partners at the Daily Courier, the woman's son denied abuse even though there were dead animals scattered about..."  More

60 Animals Seized In Orient Surrendered To Humane Society

By: RICK REITZEL 

Sixty animals that were seized Tuesday from an Orient home and out-buildings were surrendered by their owner to the Capital Area Humane Society.

Michelle Horn appeared in the Franklin County Environmental Court for a probation revocation hearing and a new case of animal abuse involving four dogs. 

She told Judge Harland Hale that her attorney was on maternity leave and she was appearing without an attorney. Hale continued the arraignment on the new charges to November 6 and the probation revocation hearing until December 7.

At the hearing, Horn told the court she was voluntarily surrendering the animals to the humane society. But she claimed the animals were not hers.

"The iguanas, the snake and the reptiles are my son's. They are not mine," Horn said.

The assistant city prosecutor said that does not matter.

"Her son lives with her, the probation says she is not allowed to have those types of animals in her home," Assistant City Prosecutor Shawnda Martin said.

The animals seized Tuesday include and underweight Mastiff mix breed, a pit bull exhibiting hair loss, two Chihuahuas, two Geckos, frogs, a ball python, an iguana, one rooster, four chickens, a ferret and mice and crickets.

"In that type of hoarding situation, it is not uncommon to deal with those types and numbers of animals," said Kerry Manion, chief agent for the Capital Area Humane Society..."  More

40 animals seized from Pasadena home

Animal Control officials in Anne Arundel County said they removed 40 live animals and a few that were dead from a Pasadena home that police have been investigating since August.

Animal Control officers and county police served a warrant at the home in the 8000 block of Lockwood Road on Thursday and said they removed two dogs, one cat, two turtles, seven birds, four chickens, one goat, one pig, one chinchilla, three snakes, 12 aquatic animals, three geese, one duck, one kinkajou (a rainforest mammal) and one tarantula.

Shane Taylor, who lives at the home, said he is not animal hoarder.

"Was I neglecting them? Absolutely not. Was it too much for me? Yes, but I was not neglecting them. Too much for me as in I was going nonstop taking care of these animals and my neighbors would tell you in a heartbeat they see me all day long taking care of the animals," Taylor said.

Molly West lives down the street from Taylor.

"Animals, they were never a problem," West said. "He took care of them. He took very good care of them. They always were fed. They have that large property to roam on. It's not like they're on an eighth of an acre. They've got a decent size property over there."

Officials said a majority of the animals had no food or water, and the animals were being housed in unacceptable conditions. A dead rabbit and several dead quail were also removed from the home.

"Most of the animals we took from the residence did not have access to fresh food or water. Those that did have food had very little. Those that did have water, it was not palatable water that they could drink from," an Animal Control official said.

Police said they've been investigating the number of animals inside the house since Aug. 31, when someone brought the case forward over concerns for the animals' safety and welfare..."  More

Read more: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/maryland/anne-arundel-county/40-animals-seized-from-Pasadena-home/-/10137088/16819454/-/us9dmo/-/index.html#ixzz28CX7fefb