Animal Control Rescues Over 30 Pets From Hoarding Situation

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's an incredible case of animal hoarding in a Charles Village neighborhood. More than 30 animals are now in Animal Control's custody after they were found thin and matted inside of a two-story home.

Rochelle Ritchie spoke with shocked neighbors.

Animal Control is not commenting on this case since it is very early in the investigation but neighbors say they had absolutely no idea the man was living with so many animals.

One by one, cats, kittens and dogs were taken out of a home on the 200 block of Lorraine Avenue in Charles Village.

"When I seen all them dogs and cats, it was shocking," said neighbor Bill Jordan.

Baltimore City police executed a search warrant on the home after a report of abandoned animals, as well as loud barking and an overwhelming odor of animal waste.

Once inside, Animal Control officers found 20 dogs, 11 cats and three kittens.

Next door neighbors had no clue so many animals were living with the man. They say many of the animals living in the home were saved by him.

"I know he loved animals. I know one of the dogs he rescued had been burned with cigarettes and he nursed them back to health. The guy loved animals," neighbor Mike Colligan said.

WJZ tried to speak with the man who lives at the home but there was no answer.

Neighbors say they haven't seen him since Monday morning but say he has been barred from going back into his own home.

"It's fleas in there now, the odor or whatever," a neighbor said.

Neighbors say they understand the owner's methods of help are questionable but say his heart was in the right place.

"I think he got addicted to helping these animals," Colligan said.

That possible addiction could cause the owner to face civil citations and criminal charges.

Neighbors say he lived alone.

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