Animal Hoarding in Montville

Photo from WTNH

It was a sickening scene.  Montville saw its most shocking case of animal hoarding ever.  Neighbors at the Mountain View Apartments reported a very strong stench that led animal control officers to a feces-filled apartment where they found about 40 animals, some dead or dying.   There were cats, a dog, ferrets, snakes , birds and other animals in cages lacking food and water.   Aside from what to do with the animals and their neglectful owner, how on earth could anyone let this get so out of control?   You probably know people who collect a lot more things than they let go of, but why would anyone hang on to these living creatures so long after they can take care of them?   Is there a relationship between animal hoarding and hoarding other things?   I have heard the theory that hoarders feel a lack of control over their own lives, so amassing more things (or perhaps even animals) gives them that sense of control over at least something.   If so, this is a very unhealthy and false sense of empowerment.   It is very sad to see this situation deteriorate to this point before neighbors finally noticed.