8 Dead Dogs Were Removed From William Allen, A Suspected Hoarder

[Mystica43229]

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - Teresa Garroutte is hearing impaired, but she can smell. She said the odor coming from a backyard near the Campus Heights Apartments made her sick over the last few days.

Memphis Animal Services removed eight dead dogs Thursday from the yard of the house at 636 South Prescott. The carcasses were piled in a corner of the yard. Another 11 dogs were reportedly located inside the filthy house surrounded by feces. It was even strewn about the owner's bed.

Neighbors said the smell got worse the closer they got to the house, which initially prompted them to call police.

"It just smelled like something sour," said neighbor Erica Franklin.

The situation reminds some of the disturbing, yet popular, Animal Planet show which chronicles the lives of animal hoarders.

"Flies, the animals, the smell, barking," said neighbor Terry Austin. "I mean, inside and out. I thought they cleaned it up already a few months ago, but apparently not."

He said the man next door keeps to himself and moved into the house about a year and a half ago.

Memphis Police said they have responded to animal complaints there before.

"To have all them dead dogs around your house and you still live there," said Franklin, "that's sad and pitiful."

Neighbors said they hope the surviving dogs find new homes and that those who died did not suffer.

Police identified the dog owner as William Allen. He was cited on the scene with multiple violations and taken downtown for questioning. The surviving dogs are being housed at the animal shelter.

http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=13015735

[cubby]

UGH!!!

[VXIII]

I kind of understand a hoarders mentality, kind of, there are all kinds of little abandoned starved and abused dogs where I live, usually I set my sights on saving them one at a time, but I know my limit is 3 that I can provide medical and other needs for. Im not rich, a hoarder thinks he is doing a kindness to feed and shelter the dog, but he/she is not, dogs have other needs beyond food and shelter, a hoarder thinks taking a dog to the animal shelter is the worst fate for the dog, I am so lucky I live where I do, and we have a no kill animal shelter (although that only means they dont kill the healthy one) and a few rescues. i have kept a few dogs for weeks until I can find a place for them and grown to love them then it breaks my heart to give them up but I know its the right thing to do, to give them to foster care where they will get the shots and care they need, I keep track of any animal I take to the shelter which I try to avoid but sometimes is the last recourse, I only had one cat put to sleep and this little kitty was so so sick, I can kind of understand. A few dogs fell of the face of the earth into "Vet care" dont know if thats a euphemism for someone working there adopting them or not, Im very lucky also that the rescue place I usually take dogs to are kind people who will usually send me pics of how the dogs are doing and keep me updated, its just sad that I am only doing what I can in one block of my city, how many blocks and how many cities is there no one who cares? Hoarders are not usually evil people who want to abuse dogs, they cry over each one who dies, they are just overwhelmed and usually sad and lonely people, just dont have the resources to care for these animals... If someone really wants to help, donate even a few dollars to rescue places in your area, they are overwhelmed too... not the ones online, the ones in your area... the ones online sometimes are not what they seem to be...

[Aslan]

Now see, I don't understand it.
As many strays I come across weekly ( probably between 8 and 12) I want to take each home.
At the same time I have a dog in a place where the landlord granted me that (they normally only allow cats)
Also, finances. Buying extra food.
Then of course comes the most important, having animals locked up in a small place all day while you work.
I would rather leave that to the pro's who run shelters and have contacts to place the dogs in a home where they would be loved on and cherished.
Not rotting corpses in my house.

If this guy thought he was 'helping' these dogs, he has one hell of a way of showing it.

[VXIII]

My landlord originally in the lease agreement allowed me to have 2 dogs, I found another I had to keep, I paid him an extra pet deposit and told him he could keep it, yeh its wrong to go to work all day but when it cools off near evening and not so hot we go for walks, its hard because all of my life from the time I was a little kid the ones that cared for me were dogs, they would give me unconditional love, lick me if Im crying. they were the ones I looked to for love, and I know thats sick but its what I can understand.

Im not going to lie and say I am perfect, I am far from perfect, I am probobly one of the most fd up people you ever want to meet, I can only afford to responsibly care for 3 that I have had for years, the rest I have to find a place for and even though I feel bad most of the times I have to find another place for them, what else am I going to do? have 100 dogs pooping and peeing all over? fleas all over the place and heartworms and puppies being born just to die?

Yeh Im fd up for giving them to rescues and the shelter, but they wouldnt have a chance with me, because I just dont make enough money to pay for them all, so I do what I have to do to try to save some of them.. and I do feel bad about it... but I never sold a single dog and made monetary gain.

[Aslan]

You're a really good person and your heart is in the right place.

Trust me, I'm with you on taking them home and just hugging them and taking care of them.
It's just that there comes a time when you realize you cannot provide. Whether it's lack of food funds, lack of space or lack of permission to do so.
I agree with you 100% about how pets are great therapy.
Sucks, especially when you run across that 'perfect pet' that needs a home.

This guy (even giving him the benefit of the doubt) led 8 dogs to their death in his home.
He is not a good person.

[VXIII]

Oh yeh, I have run across many of them, there was this one dog that was so cuddly, I wanted her so badly, I dont know why I gave her up to the rescue, I thought I was doing the right thing, she was mine, now I have to see her cuddling up to someone else, and this lady just knows, she will never have another dog like her, because she was just that sweet, none of my dogs are like her, they want food and will give me a lick once in a while, as a little prayer to me. they are cold, they dont love me and I know it. Dexter is so fucking cold, he might lick me and give me kisses but he has been hurt living on the streets and learned not to care. Our fault.. Mybe one day when his young ass is old he will learn to trust but I love him so much and he dont love me back. he cant, he is so scared he just wants food.