Hoarding - 23 neglected dogs living in home
San Antonio, TX (US)Incident Date: Monday, Oct 31, 2005
County: Bexar
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Woman
A homeowner is facing animal cruelty charges after nearly two dozen dogs were discovered living in filthy conditions in the 300 block of Savannah.
Police said they discovered 23 mixed breed dogs in the home. The legal limit is five.
"There's feces 3 to 6 inches deep through the house," said Eddie Wright, an animal cruelty officer. "There's a very high level of ammonia."
Police said they believe the home's owner lived in her garage and let the dogs take over her house.
"It's called hoarding, and it's a psychological disease," Wright said. "They just don't realize that they're doing something wrong." The homeowner told neighbors that she didn't have any family, and that the dogs were all she has. But authorities believe the community is glad to see the animals going. "We've been getting calls since 2002 for dogs running loose in the neighborhood," Wright said.The dogs are sick because of the living conditions. The high levels of ammonia have affected their eyes and lugs.
The home will not be condemned, but authorities ordered the owner to clean it up. "We are going to get assistance for her," said Joe Encina, of the city code compliance department.
The 48-year-old woman will face 23 counts of animal cruelty. A judge will decide if she gets the animals back.
References« TX State Animal Cruelty Map
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