Nearly 50 animals living in squalid conditions were rescued from a North Houston home today in a large-scale operation by the Houston SPCA and Harris County Constable Precinct 1.
The rescue included 13 dogs, 10 cats, one rabbit, and 25 fowl.
Responders found the animals in horrific conditions, with rooms filled with trash, urine, and feces. Some of the animals were confined to wire kennels in the backyard, with at least one dog suffering from a large untreated tumor.
This isn’t the first intervention at this location. Both the Houston SPCA and Precinct 1 responded to the same property eight years ago, rescuing 32 dogs from similar neglect.
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Precinct 1 served a civil warrant for 33 of the animals, allowing the Houston SPCA to remove them from the property. According to Precinct 1, no charges are being filed. Officials say it was a case of someone attempting to take in too many stray animals.
Josh Sailor, chief of animal cruelty at the Houston SPCA, highlighted the ongoing challenges of animal hoarding, stating, “It’s critical that we work closely with law enforcement in nine surrounding counties to help keep tabs on properties hoarding animals as it is common they become repeat offenders. The horrific living conditions do nothing but create a world of neglect and suffering for the animals.”
The animals are now receiving veterinary care at the SPCA’s facility, where they will remain until a custody hearing next week.
A judge will determine the animals’ future, as authorities continue to monitor the property for compliance and potential recidivism.
KPRC2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with Melissa Hladek who is the owner of America’s most organized. She said often times people mistake animal hoarding for criminal activity. She is a professional organizer and a senior care advisor. She said there are different variables, including mental health, that can be an underlying factor for animal hoarding.
“There’s a lot of research that’s showing that it can be trauma based. But then if it’s not trauma based, there’s other psychiatric conditions that you can attribute it to. And once you see one case of animal hoarding, very much like object hoarding, it doesn’t mean that everyone is the same,” said Hladek.
She said removing animals from the home helps, but it doesn’t solve the issue. Hladek said knowing when to ask for help and seeking resources, like therapeutic services, can be beneficial.
“That really takes a multi-discipline approach, right, that the building inspector, animal control, the social worker on the municipality level, those resources can work together to help the situation get to those core issues. And there’s health implications also for the human as well,” said Hladek.
Hladek shared the five things too look out for when it comes to animal hoarding.
- Strong odor coming from the home.
- Animal physical health. Do they look sickly?
- Noticing rodents or flies near the home.
- Condition of the structure. Is it safe for animals?
- Condition of the person. Do they appear to be taking care of themselves.
Those wanting to learn more information can visit the America’s Most Organized website: https://www.americasmostorganized.com/