International Law

Animals Who Hoard

Image via Wikipedia

Interesting story about the psychology of hoarding.

"Over 600 animals were found in the home of a Los Angeles woman, arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty.

Some of the animals were already dead and some so ill they had to be euthanized by Animal Services.

The woman insisted the animals were well-cared for and her home was clean, despite physical evidence to the contrary. She refused to voluntarily surrender the animals to animal control.

Her fear?

They would be euthanized.

This woman could be described as an animal hoarder.

According to Gini Barrett, director of the American Humane Association Western Regional Office (Tamaki, 1997), animal hoarders are well-known to animal care professionals. "Collectors exist in almost every community, large or small, rural or urban. They are in a state of denial that prevents them from seeing the filth or understanding their animals are sick, dying or dead. They need help," she said."

No word whether she was a former banker or not.

Full post as published by Misleading Advertising Law on October 28, 2008 (boomark / email).