Investigating Animal Cruelty 57 The filthy conditions also attract disease vectors such as insects and rodents which can threaten neighboring households. Often properties that are home to a hoarding situation must be condemned by the health department due to unlivable conditions. Finally, animal hoarding places a tremendous strain on already-overburdened animal shelters, which lack the space or resources to deal with an influx of hundreds of animals, many of whom are in dire need of medical attention. Holding these animals pending the outcome of a court case may displace otherwise adoptable animals and lead to their euthanasia. Treatment options Although the causes of animal hoarding is still poorly understood, there is a general consensus that it is a symptom of psychological and neurological malfunctioning, which might involve dementia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder. Treatment is difficult and has a low rate of success. Typically a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and some type of psychopharmacological intervention is recommended. Removing animals from the situation can temporarily help solve the problem, but without long-term psychological intervention, animal hoarding has a nearly 100 percent recidivism rate. Animal control, social service agencies and health and housing agencies should work together to treat each animal hoarding situation as a long-term project. Intervention should involve the family of the hoarder and any other involved members of the community. Charging options The animal cruelty laws of all states have provisions stipulating minimal care standards (e.g. food, shelter, veterinary care and sanitary conditions) for animals. A few states have enacted legislation that specifically addresses animal hoarding and some local ordinances place limits on or require permits for owning a large number of animals. In situations where the owner is unwilling to accept help and the animals’ conditions do not warrant animal cruelty charges, nonanimal agencies often step in to facilitate change. For example, fire departments can cite hoarders for fire code violations, health departments can intervene where there are disease issues or housing code violations and county zoning boards can step in if there are local ordinances regarding the number of animals a person may keep. The charges may be necessary to help the hoarder understand the gravity of his/her situation. Sentencing options The Humane Society of the United States recommends sentencing mandatory psychological evaluation and treatment. Specialized counseling to address hoarding tendencies should be required or recommended to help prevent recidivism. The number of animals these individuals may possess/own/cohabitate with should also be restricted (e.g., no more than two animals of any species). It is important to order that these animals be sterilized and to require proof of sterilization. A lengthy probation period, during which the owner must agree to periodic unannounced visits from animal control authorities to ensure compliance, is vital. Depending on the mental and psychological capacity of the owner, The HSUS favors jail time in cases where animal suffering is extreme, both as a punitive measure and to help the individual understand the serious nature of their actions. Restitution should also be ordered because hoarding cases require large amounts of resources to care for the seized animals. The individual who created the problem needs to understand these costs. Puppy mills ”Puppy mill” is not a legal term—it is a description for an inhumane, commercial Specialized cases
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