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Animal Hoarding

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The Palgrave International Handbook of Animal Abuse Studies

Abstract

Animal hoarding is one of the most widespread, severe and complex forms of animal cruelty. This chapter examines why hoarding is a serious human and animal welfare issue that affects thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of animals. Various models are explored for the development and expression of this behaviour, including psychological, social and biological explanations that might lead to better informed interventions for the benefit of all involved. The authors review the legal status of animal hoarding and the possibility of sentencing hoarders, as well as alternatives to prosecution. They argue that an effective societal response to hoarding requires a multi-focused and multi-agency approach.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Although there are many press reports from the UK, the authors are unaware of any similar UK case summaries in the literature.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA

    Arnold Arluke

  2. Independent Consultant; Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA

    Gary Patronek

  3. Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty Projects, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal, New York, NY, USA

    Randall Lockwood

  4. Cruelty Intervention Advocacy (CIA) Program, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal, New York, NY, USA

    Allison Cardona

Authors
  1. Arnold Arluke
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  2. Gary Patronek
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  3. Randall Lockwood
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  4. Allison Cardona
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arnold Arluke .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Criminology, University of South Wales , Pontypridd, United Kingdom

    Jennifer Maher

  2. Centre for Criminology, University of South Wales , Pontypridd, United Kingdom

    Harriet Pierpoint

  3. Criminology Department, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine, USA

    Piers Beirne

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Arluke, A., Patronek, G., Lockwood, R., Cardona, A. (2017). Animal Hoarding. In: Maher, J., Pierpoint, H., Beirne, P. (eds) The Palgrave International Handbook of Animal Abuse Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-43183-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-43183-7_6

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