A Lincoln woman faces animal neglect and abuse violations for having more than 30 animals in her home.
Animal control took the animals from 34-year-old Stephanie Harpham. More than 20 cats, two dogs, two guinea pigs, one rat and a parrot were discovered by Lancaster County Animal Control.
Officials say Harpham's home is not liveable because of all the feces and urine.
Animal control's Jim Weverka says his officers found a similar situation at Harpham's house in January. At that time, 21 cats were found and 13 were impounded.
Weverka says Harpham was put on probation in January and restricted to having no more than five cats.
"Studies now show that many, if not most, of the people who create a lifestyle that is overrun by animals are mentally ill," said Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D in an article she wrote last month in PsychCentral.com.
Hartwell-Walker added: "Our communities need to reconsider how these cases are handled. Often, a Board of Health will condemn the home, euthanize the animals, and perhaps take the owners to court for destruction of property or cruelty to animals. The owner is then left to cope with the loss of the animals, the loss of her or his home, and the loss of the organizing principle (the relationship with the animals) that has kept her or him marginally functional. The experience is devastating. Sometimes it results in homelessness and an increase in the symptoms of mental illness." Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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