Police officers found 67 dead cats stuffed in plastic bags inside the kitchen freezer and 99 live ones in a filthy home of a 50-year-old woman in upstate New York.
Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond said the alleged animal hoarder, identified as Irene Vandyke, who works at a local Walmart store, is being held for investigation.
This Time Union report tells us Vandyke might be suffering a “compulsive hoarding syndrome,” a “psychological affliction often related to obsessive-compulsive disorder.” A person with this psychological state is fond of collecting items, frequently animals, in an “excessive” manner.
Desmond suspects Vandyke’s hoarding activities started after her husband, Russell Jack Vandyke, a cook in a Schenectady restaurant, died unexpectedly in 2010. Desmond said he felt sorry for the kittens as well as Vandyke, but he’d like to see her charged.
Deputies discovered about the 67 dead cats and 99 live others after a neighbor called to complain the foul smell coming from Vandyke’s home.
Animal Shelter of Schoharie manager Kerrie Colin reportedly said she knew about Vandyke’s “cat crisis” about two years ago and can confirm she had a “hoarder mentality.” Colin claims she tried to help the woman to no avail.
“The minute anyone tried to take her cats, she freaked out and threw them off her property,” Colin said, according to the TU report. “She’s not a horrible person, she just needs help and counseling.”
Photo credit: Cats & Co
Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond said the alleged animal hoarder, identified as Irene Vandyke, who works at a local Walmart store, is being held for investigation.
This Time Union report tells us Vandyke might be suffering a “compulsive hoarding syndrome,” a “psychological affliction often related to obsessive-compulsive disorder.” A person with this psychological state is fond of collecting items, frequently animals, in an “excessive” manner.
Desmond suspects Vandyke’s hoarding activities started after her husband, Russell Jack Vandyke, a cook in a Schenectady restaurant, died unexpectedly in 2010. Desmond said he felt sorry for the kittens as well as Vandyke, but he’d like to see her charged.
Deputies discovered about the 67 dead cats and 99 live others after a neighbor called to complain the foul smell coming from Vandyke’s home.
Animal Shelter of Schoharie manager Kerrie Colin reportedly said she knew about Vandyke’s “cat crisis” about two years ago and can confirm she had a “hoarder mentality.” Colin claims she tried to help the woman to no avail.
“The minute anyone tried to take her cats, she freaked out and threw them off her property,” Colin said, according to the TU report. “She’s not a horrible person, she just needs help and counseling.”
Photo credit: Cats & Co
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