Couple with 159 cats in overcrowded apartment convicted for negligence
A French couple has been handed a one-year suspended jail term and an indefinite ban on pet ownership by the Nice Criminal Court. The pair, who shared their 861 sq ft apartment with 159 cats and 7 dogs, were found guilty of neglect due to the "very poor state of health" of the animal. The court also ordered them to pay over EUR150,000 ($162,000 or ₹1,35,74,850) in compensation to animal welfare organizations.
Discovery of neglected animals sparks investigation
In 2023, law enforcement officers discovered numerous dehydrated and underfed animals infested with parasites and sores in the couple's apartment while resolving a local dispute. The bodies of at least two cats and two puppies were also found in a bathroom. The primary caretaker, a 68-year-old woman, expressed her disagreement with the court's ruling, stating it was like telling a woman she can't have more children.
Woman blames temporary conditions for animal neglect
The woman claimed that the poor living conditions were temporary, attributing them to an infection among the cats and a heat wave that affected her health. She expressed regret, saying, "They were the loves of my life but things have gone off track." A mental health evaluation revealed she suffered from "Noah syndrome," or animal hoarding, characterized by an uncontrollable urge to accumulate more animals than can be properly cared for.
Previous run-ins with authorities over animal hoarding
The couple was also facing eviction proceedings and an EUR8,000 (₹7,23,992) rental debt. The incident wasn't their first encounter with authorities regarding animal hoarding. In 2014, they were investigated for living with 13 cats and a dog in a 193 sq ft studio. The woman later adopted about 30 cats from an abandoned building, fearing they might be poisoned, leading to an increase in their pet count as these animals reproduced.
What is Noah Syndrome?
Animal Hoarding Disorder, often referred to as Noah Syndrome, is a significant mental illness characterized by the excessive accumulation of animals without providing adequate nutrition, sanitation, and veterinary care. Similar to the biblical figure Noah, who gathered numerous animals onto his ark, individuals affected by this disorder amass animals to a degree that exceeds their ability to properly care for them, posing serious public health concerns for communities at large.
The hidden strain on communities
Annually, an estimated 2,000 new cases of hoarding emerge in the United States of America, though many more may remain concealed. The financial burden of addressing each case of animal hoarding averages around $100,000 (₹83,44,440), typically funded by local taxpayers. These cases necessitate the coordinated efforts of sanitation departments, law enforcement, and animal rescue organizations. Unfortunately, mental health treatment for hoarders is seldom provided, contributing to a near 100 percent relapse rate.
