Yorkie hoarders get probation
 

http://amp.10news.com/2265955775/sen...-terriers.html


I posted this a while back . Now they got sentenced


SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Sentencing is scheduled Tuesday for a San Diego couple arrested after more than 170 Yorkshire terrier and Yorkie-mix dogs were found in filthy conditions in their home and other locations.

Mark Vattimo, 72, and Christine Calvert, 62, of Poway, pleaded guilty last month to felony animal abuse charges. As part of their plea agreement, the defendants will be placed on probation and won't face additional custody, but will have to undergo counseling, will not be allowed to own any pets and will transfer title of a 31-foot motorhome to the Humane Society as restitution in the case.

That is nonsense, 170 dogs, probation, counseling, signing over a nasty old motor home is not sending out a message that animal abuse / cruelty is a crime and punishable by serving time in prison. All I see is they got rid of a nasty old motor home that more then likely didn't run and it didn't cost them a penny.

I might have posted this already

Rescued Poway Yorkies thriving with new owners - Pomerado News

Overwhelming response to adopt all of the dogs

How wonderful a large percentage found homes, but horrifying for the ones that died. So sad, put a knot in my chest to think of all those dogs and how they lived. Thank you for the up-date.

They should have gotten jail time that's just ridiculous!

This is mental illness not just a case of animal cruelty. I can see why a judge would give probation so these people can get the help they need. Jail isn't going to help get to the root of the issue in cases like this. Its unfortunate for sure but let's not condemn those that are suffering. We've seen enough cases of hoarding to know that something isn't quite wired right.

While I agree about hoarding being about the way the brain's miswired and believe in compassionate sentencing, I respectfully disagree about other statements. I do think jail time could help prevent a recurrence. Here's why:

I think we can all agree that hoarding the results in loss of life is different than more benign hoarding that merely results in overstuffed closets and 6-foot magazine piles. Unfortunately, in many states, dogs are still considered "property", like a car or boat. So loss of animal life is not seen the same as loss of human life under current law.

Judges tend to make decisions that are unlikely to be overturned on appeal, using precedent, the law, the background of the hoarders, other facts of the case, and their informed discretion. While it's not the decision I would have made, it's not an unreasonable one.

Even if the ruling was harsher, jails and prisons have psychiatric staff available to their inmates, so they would not be doing without needed /court-ordered services. Keep in mind that even in jail or prison, the hoarders' conditions would be significantly better than what those dogs lived with. (I volunteered in a prison for several years and am more familiar with conditions there than the general public.)

I also have to respectfully disagree with you. If they were hoarding paper and boxes it would be one thing but they were keeping creatures that feel pain, loneliness, happiness, jealousy and almost all the emotions that humans do. I agree they need help, but the same can be said for people who commit murder, assault and sexual crimes. The punishment should fit the crime and, IMO, it did not. The one factor on their behalf is that I think they were the ones who reached out for help. I am not sure if jail time would deter anyone else from doing the same since this is a psychological disorder, but again I think the punishment should fit the crime.

No mentally fit person would have been able to have been in that house.
I'm speculating there had to be Animal waste and urine in the house.
I don't see them as criminal just mental.

I know a person that hoards. I've tried to get into his head and ask him why!
I've watched the show hoarders and am saddened by these types of people.
Something isn't wired right upstairs.

I've also been around people that went through the depression in the 30's while they weren't quite as bad as hoarders, they were reluctant to throw anything away.

They said the feces and urine in the house was unbearable. The rescuers had to wear masks in order to stay in the house.

It's different then just hoarding things, animals are actual living beings so a harsher sentence is necessary or they might not take getting help seriously and do it again.

:thumbup:

I agree. I am quite sure Jeffrey Dahmer had mental issues....

I agree, it does not seem to be malicious, they need serious therapy and education afterwards, close monitoring wherever they live along with a pet ownership ban.

This rarely happens. We have a real problem here in TX with animal hoarding and the people always cry how well intentioned they are...and the authorities feed into it saying the person meant well. They repeat the pattern over and over....makes me sick to my stomach. I know it varies from state to state...but, IMHO these people should be treated like people who abuse humans. Jail time is in order. Then, they can get help there or after they get out.