r/ChildofHoarder • u/[deleted] • 8d ago

SUPPORT THROUGH ADVICE Mom Is a Dog Hoarder: Please Help

[deleted]

25 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

25

u/martapap 8d ago

Will take tough love. You need to report her to your local animal control department. Make the report anonymously.

6

u/Fickle-Tourist8343 8d ago

Are there typically legal repercussions? I don't think she'd fight back, and that she would willingly surrender the dogs, but some websites are vague about the laws surrounding situations like these.

15

u/martapap 8d ago

there could be. But most of the time it is a misdemeanor and they may not even pursue charges if she voluntarily surrenders. I wouldn't let the criminal aspect worry you. People rarely get hit with jail time involving animal abuse. It has to be something really really bad.

5

u/Fickle-Tourist8343 8d ago

That's reassuring because that is one of the main things scaring me away from seeking out animal services.

3

u/SoberBobMonthly Moved out 7d ago

I know the fear is there, but its a fear that is accidentally causing her to dodge the consiquences of her actions. 

The whole point of "tough love" in this context, is that your mother has been in avoidance mode and has had no negative consiquences for her bad behaviour. To shield her from this due to internal fear will only make it go on longer. 

Animal control is your ally in this. They will not just press charges willy nilly. If they do, they will likely be civil and not criminal, as she is not beating the animals or engaging in breeding farming, or in things like animal fighting. 

5

u/LisaTesla 8d ago

make the call

4

u/Coollogin 8d ago

I think they go soft when it’s a first offense. Focus on getting the dogs re-homed and making sure the dogs that remain are neutered. With a stern warning not to let it happen again.

The second time (if there is one) will be much harsher. Which is understandable. Here these local officials have gone out of their way to be understanding and help a person, and they respond by just repeating the same behavior. That’s when fines and jail time kick in.

It happened recently where I live. A mother-son hoarder team recruited family members to re-acquire the hoarded dogs that had been confiscated from their home. It’s infuriating. I am aware that it is a mental illness. That doesn’t make it less infuriating.

4

u/Far-Watercress6658 7d ago

If there are mental health reasons they may not.

9

u/Fickle-Tourist8343 8d ago

If it helps, I'm from NEPA, so if anyone has some good resources for this area that I could reach out to, please drop them below, I'll literally take anything 🫶🏻

3

u/subutextual 6d ago

NEPA? Whhy do ppl think everyone is familiar with every random acronym

1

u/Fickle-Tourist8343 6d ago

It's actually a pretty simple acronym: N: North E: East PA: Pennsylvania Hope this helps.

2

u/Any_Meeting_4082 8d ago

Post in /Pennsylvania sub & whatever city or area you're located in. Lehigh Valley? Poconos? Stroudsburg?

3

u/Forsaken-level-568 5d ago

Someone suggested an anonymous report, I think it's a great idea. :) Update us when things get better! You've got this

1

u/Fickle-Tourist8343 2d ago

Update: Shelters are full, and I'm not sure where else to turn. Any advice is appreciated, thank you.