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Addressing the Roots of Animal Hoarding

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.

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Addressing the Roots of Animal Hoarding

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  1. Addressing the Roots of Animal Hoarding HSGC is a leader in changing sentencing policy in hoarding cases

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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!

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.”

  10. Next Steps GOAL: 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!

  11. Feel free to contact me with questions: Carol Overland Attorney at Law Legalectric, Inc. overland@legalectric.org

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