In the dog house: 82 chihuahuas rescued from hoarder’s home
WHEN the RSPCA was called out to deal with dozens of dogs inside a hoarder’s home it found there was no room to swing a cat.
That’s because 82 distressed chihuahuas were crammed inside the chaotic house.
Police had spotted the dogs when investigating the sudden death of the property’s owner. They told Herchy Boal, an RSPCA inspector, to expect to have to deal with around 30 animals – not almost three times that number.
She said they were all descended from the owner’s original pair of dogs, Blue and Tinkerbell. ‘Unfortunately, they didn’t get their dogs neutered and four years later, they had 82,’ Miss Boal added.
‘This was a classic hoarding situation but it was clear the couple had loved their dogs and things had simply got out of hand. The dogs literally started appearing from everywhere.
‘We would move the washing machine and suddenly there’d be six faces looking at you. It was incredible where they were able to hide. The house looked like an earthquake had hit it, everything was higgledy piggledy, it was really chaotic and dirty.’
Some of the dogs had matted coats and fleas. Others had burns or displayed aggressive behaviour – the result of poor ‘socialisation’ during puppyhood.
Police launched an investigation into the woman’s death and found she had died from complications following an accident. All the dogs – most of which had never left the house in Washwood Heath, Birmingham – were taken to the RSPCA’s Newbrook Farm Animal Hospital in the city.
Staff worked through the night to ensure they received the necessary treatment. The charity also helped the dead woman’s partner clean up the property while the dogs were being cared for and treated.
Four of them were eventually returned to him and the rest rehoused.
Miss Boal said two of that quartet had shown serious behavioural issues and were ‘extremely aggressive and unhappy’ while in the RSPCA’s care – leading to a discussion about whether the animals could be safely rehomed.
Miss Boal added: ‘When we returned them to him they were like different dogs and were so much happier.
‘This was a really sad case – I hope we can use this story to make it clear why it’s so important to neuter your pets – not only to avoid unwanted litters but also to avoid inbreeding, which can result in serious health and behaviour problems in puppies.’
The case, which happened in April, features in The Dog Rescuers on Channel 5 tomorrow night.