Addressing the Roots of Animal Hoarding

HSGC is a leader in changing sentencing policy in hoarding cases

HSGC responds to hoarding• HSGC is the responder to calls regarding animal hoarding

situations – several times each year.

• Requires action on short notice and consumes significant staff time and HSGC resources to respond to call and to care for large sudden influx of animals.

• HSGC staff partners with law enforcement and social services to assess situation and seize animals where necessary.

• Parties decide whether to challenge seizure, and animals held until ownership determination.

• Animals evaluated, vetted, cleaned and fed, boarding until either returned or released for adoption.

TODAY’S NEWS FLASH:Hoarding case settled in Goodhue Co. District Court:• Guilty pleas to Count 4 & Count 5-Animal Waste-

Unlawful Acts and Dog & Cat Regulation & Licensing. • Supervised probation to Goodhue County Court

Services for one year;• Undergo a psychological evaluation/follow

recommendations;• No ownership or possession of any new animals not

currently owned or possessed;• No contact with adopters of animals• Pay Civil Judgment (restitution) as able, via P.O.

Why is this news?• County, and law enforcement generally, have not

taken hoarding seriously.

• Hoarding is not “let’s do a reality show” cute.

• Recidivism rate for hoarding is essentially 100%.

• Hoarding is now recognized as a psychological disorder in the recently released DSM-5. Treatment is available, though “new” to many practitioners.

• Costs to HSGC and society of hoarding are immense, and we cannot shoulder that load.

• Today’s sentencing result is a policy shift.

26 animals seized from home

• Case began over 6 months ago when home investigated after juvenile went to Social Services for help for friend living in dire conditions in hoarding home.

• Two weeks after report and investigation, warrant obtained, home entered, and children removed to safe place.

• 26 animals seized – 7 dogs and 19 cats.

HSGC pushes for policy shift• After learning of case, considering number of animals,

impacts, and costs, I suggested Victims Impact Statement to make claim for restitution, and with main goal of intervention to push defendant into psych evaluation for hoarding.

• Similar to process in DUI cases, where sentence typically includes ETOH assessment and follow up.

• Never been done before by HSGC! DOH!• HSGC Board approved effort. YEA!• Victims Services for county was enthusiastic! Never

been done to advocate’s knowledge!

Victims’ Impact Statement filed

• Victims Impact Statement filed on behalf of HSGC and the 26 animals.

• Provided information on hoarding, including studies, book detailing treatment of hoarding, and list of practitioners addressing hoarding.

• Impacts included specifics of harm done and staff compiled detailed itemized cost estimate with medical records and documentation.

• Much time was not included, VERY conservative estimate.

TA-DA!!! Success!!!

• Today, defendant pleads guilty to two of the six animal related counts. Sentence:– Probation for one year;– Psych evaluation, focused on hoarding and any

other issues, and follow recommendation;– Restitution to HSGC of $3,367.40 - Civil Judgment;– No new animals;– No contact with adoptive owners of animals.

Sentencing• Child Endangerment count and the other three

animal related charges were dismissed.• Sentence framed exactly as HSGC requested!• Judge stated that, “the realm of criminal law has a

broad reach. It might be a stretch to think of that as criminal, but that is how our legislature has structured it. What will help is having the right attitude… looking at you, I could be wrong, but I have the impression that you think we’re inconveniencing you, and I hope you will think about it and adjust your attitude going forward.”

Next StepsGOAL: Hoarding psych evaluation and follow through for all hoarding cases!• Have begun reaching out to other jurisdictions

handling hoarding cases.• Provide information on our success!• Provide updates on psych acknowledgement of

and treatment of hoarding.• Provide information about psych practitioners

handling hoarding cases.• Rather easily accomplished out of the gate. We

can accomplish this goal!

Feel free to contact me with questions:

Carol Overland Attorney at LawLegalectric, Inc.

overland@legalectric.org