Maryland Hoarder Asks For Help

By: Lindsey Mastis

It can be difficult to throw away Christmas cards, old bills, and magazines, but for some people, keeping these items becomes a hoarding obsession.

"Its a combination of papers, books, magazines, because I'm an avid reader," said Marilee White.

She lives by herself and has five cats to keep her company, but most people aren't allowed inside because of the clutter.

"I just let things pile up, and pile up, and pile up," she said.

In her kitchen, there is barely room to prepare food. Her home office contains boxes, books and papers. In the upstairs bedroom, her cats have used old magazines as a litter box, and she sleeps on the couch in her living room.

"The bedroom is the worst room in the house in so far as paper, and it sort of drove me out of the bedroom," she said.

Marilee has fallen several times, tripped down her stairs and even broke several toes. She knows her home has become a hazard..." More & video

Orchard Beach woman, son charged in abuse of 21 dogs

By Nicole Fuller

An Anne Arundel County woman and her adult son were arrested Wednesday on animal cruelty charges in the abuse and neglect of 21 malnourished and flea-infested dogs found living in their home, authorities said.

Janet Taylor, 51, and her son, Jeffrey Taylor, 38, of Orchard Beach were arrested shortly after noon Wednesday and each charged with 21 counts of animal cruelty and 21 counts of inflicting unnecessary suffering or pain on an animal, according to the office of County Executive John R. Leopold.

Last month, Animal Control rescued 21 dogs from the Taylors' home in the 7900 block of Seabreeze Drive after receiving a complaint from a neighbor. The house was condemned.

One of the dogs was euthanized, "due to the extent of its neglect," authorities said. The others are being treated at Animal Control until they are healthy enough for adoption.

"This is a horrific case of animal cruelty and neglect and the charges are fitting of the crime," Leopold said. "The condition of the home from which these animals were rescued was deplorable and unfit for animals or people.

August 31, 2009: Shocking Animal Neglect in Local Home

Reported by: Delia Goncalves Reported by: Joce Sterman Anne Arundel County's Executive John Leopold says the county has received many calls about potentially adopting or helping to care for the 21 dogs seized from a home in Orchard Beach Friday. Leopold says that while the county appreciates the concern, the dogs still have a number of mental and physical issues that need to be treated. The dogs are being cared for by the county's Animal Control department. No timeline was given for when they might be ready to move forward with finding the animals new homes. The county says the case is under investigation. Neighbors want to help the dogs. Anyone who wishes to adopt one of the neglected animals or donate money for their care is asked to send an email to orchardbeachdogs@yahoo.com. The front yard of 7915 Sea Breeze Drive in Orchard Beach was cluttered and overgrown, but the smell was even worse. “The smell was horrendous. I couldn't even have my windows open,” one neighbor said. That's because animal control officers said 21 malnourished dogs lived with a family of 4 inside the home that was full of little and dog feces. “The sound of the dogs howling the smell and I've been complaining, complaining and nothing was done,” said Krysta Dear. But she called Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold's office and they responded immediately Friday just before 11:30am. “Clearly this is a deplorable situation and residents in the area should not have to tolerate this,” said County Executive Leopold. Debbie Wehberg has lived in the neighborhood more than 40 years and said the family has always had problems with animal hoarding. “At one time we had gotten traps and trapped the cats and there were like 70 something cats they had trapped between a couple of the neighbors so it's been like this for as long as I can remember." This time, animal control officers cleared out the dogs. “Of 21 dogs only 3 with hair because they were so mangy and flea bitten and the puppies had worms that you can see their bellies were full," said Dear. The house, clearly unfit for animals, is now deemed unlivable for humans by the Health Department. Neighbors hope now things will change. Police are not releasing the names of the residents but we have learned a Janet. E. Taylor owns the home. Charges have not yet been filed. The dogs are recovering at animal control until they are healthy enough for adoption..." More

Shocking Animal Neglect in Local Home

By:

Delia Goncalves & Joce Sterman

Neighbors want to help the dogs. Anyone who wishes to adopt one of the neglected animals or donate money for their care is asked to send an email to orchardbeachdogs@yahoo.com. The front yard of 7915 Sea Breeze Drive in Orchard Beach was cluttered and overgrown, but the smell was even worse. “The smell was horrendous. I couldn't even have my windows open,” one neighbor said. That's because animal control officers said 21 malnourished dogs lived with a family of 4 inside the home that was full of little and dog feces. “The sound of the dogs howling the smell and I've been complaining, complaining and nothing was done,” said Krysta Dear. But she called Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold's office and they responded immediately Friday just before 11:30am. “Clearly this is a deplorable situation and residents in the area should not have to tolerate this,” said County Executive Leopold. Debbie Wehberg has lived in the neighborhood more than 40 years and said the family has always had problems with animal hoarding. “At one time we had gotten traps and trapped the cats and there were like 70 something cats they had trapped between a couple of the neighbors so it's been like this for as long as I can remember.".." More & video

Maryland cat lady claims she rescued Delaware felines

July 2, 2009:  By Jane Bellmyer

A woman who apparently picked up stray cats in Delaware and Maryland and kept dead animals in her freezer - claims she is in the rescue business.

Animal control and police in Cecil County, Md. claim the Janice Brant owns nearly 200 cats, as police and county animal control officials contend.

Brant, who resides near Chesapeake City, Md., insists she has 84 cats living in her home.

"I have 57 adult cats and 27 kittens in the kitten room," Brant said this week. "I'm a rescuer, not a hoarder."

Brant did admit to keeping 27 cats in her freezers. Officers with the Cecil County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals removed the dead animals from her home on Friday..."  More