Hoarding - 38 dogs
Oklahoma City, OK (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, May 16, 1990
County: Oklahoma
Disposition: Not Charged
Persons of Interest:
» Leah Cohn Arendt
» Joann Dunn
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Leah Cohn Arendt, 97, will be allowed to keep four of her 38 dogs that were found in her home on Saturday. Arendt's live in housekeeper, Joann Dunn, 69, was arrested for interfering with official process when she refused to allow police into Arendt's home. Dunn used to head the Animal Protection League of Oklahoma City, she was released on a $55 bond.
The police said the inside of the house in the 700 block of NW 18 was an eyesore and had an overwhelming stench.
Animal control officers took the dogs to the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter when they found out that Arendt was ill.
The women have agreed to comply with the city ordinance that allows up to four adult animals per household.
They will choose four dogs and then animal shelter workers will take the rest to a kennel.
The dogs will all be checked for vaccination requirements and the city will bill Arendt for the vaccinations that are needed. Arendt has had an ongoing dispute with the city over the dogs, she could not be reached for comment.
Case UpdatesLeah Arendt died on Oct 20 and left the bulk of her $3 million estate to the public library in Fort Smith, AR. She wrote in her will that $100,000 be left to care for her animals. That money, plus an additional $50,000 has already been spent on the animals. A judge ruled the handwritten will made out in March 1990 by an eccentric woman who lived with about 200 animals is valid.
The Cohn Foundation will continue to care for the animals. The Cohn Foundation was established when one of Arendt's older brothers died, and provides the money to care for unwanted animals. Arendt was 97 when she died.
Witnesses said Arendt lived at 700 NWS 18 in squalor with her dogs and cats. The house was said to have been infested with roaches and mice. | Source: The Daily Oklahoman - May 31, 1991
Update posted on Apr 8, 2006 - 2:57PM |
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