Animal Rescuer Gets Jail For Hoarding Cats In A U-Haul

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There's a thin line between being a cat rescuer and a cat hoarder: a Brooklyn man who ran a nonprofit animal rescue group, and claimed he was a cat rescuer, was sentenced to 60 days in jail for hoarding cats. Steven Hock was arrested for animal cruelty for housing 69 cats in a parked U-Haul van without air, food or water two years ago. "He is what the mental health community considers a hoarder but he considers himself a rescuer," said Brooklyn Deputy District Attorney Carol Moran

Hock, who ran nonprofit Kitty Shockwave, was convicted of 69 counts of confining an animal without food or water, eight counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, and eight counts of carrying an animal in a cruel manner. In addition to the jail time, he'll serve three years of probation with psychological counseling, and is not permitted to own or harbor any animals for the next three years.

In August 2008, Hock's landlord moved to evict him after neighbors reported an overwhelming odor coming from his apartment; other animal rescue groups offered to help him move the animals, but he refused help. "If he was just a person who was overwhelmed and seeking assistance, it's unlikely he would have been arrested. He was adamant that he could go back and handle the situation and showed no willingness to understand that he was not coping with it," said Moran. The locked U-Haul was eventually found by police at the corner of 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue; Hock later claimed all he did was merely “impound or confine” the cats.

Experts told the News that even though animal hoarders believe they are helping the animals, it's really about control to them: "In trying to save and rescue the animals, what they're doing is putting them at greater risk," said Jenny Coffey, a social worker with the Mayor's Alliance. In April, a Glen Cove woman was arrested after authorities found 100 cats and kittens, plus three ferrets, living in "inhumane" conditions. And in January, a Brooklyn couple was charged with animal hoarding after near 100 flea-bitten and dehydrated cats were found in their home.

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By Ben Yakas in News on May 22, 2011 10:55 AM

Comments [rss]

Ingrid

I ADOPTED A CAT FROM HIM NAMED HALEY. AND I GAVE HIM THE CAT BACK BECAUSE MY SON WAS ALLERGIC I WISH I DIDNT NOW. HALEY ATTITUDE MAKES SENSE. SHE WAS NOT FRIENDLY AT ALL. SHE WOULD HIDE FOR DAYS. IT WAS RARE SHE WOULD LET US PET HER. HE GOT ARRESTED 3 WEEKS AFTER I TOLD HIM I COULDNT KEEP HER I FEEL SO AWFUL.

Sara

Thank you so much for bring this issue to our attention.

I'm a researcher for the series Confessions: Animal Hoarding, currently airing on Animal Planet that tells the stories of people overwhelmed by the number of pets they own. The problem is on the rise and affect communities across America.

If you are concerned about the health of animals in someone's care and suspect they may be hoarding them, we might be able to help.

Most animal hoarders don’t see themselves as hoarders, and sometimes don’t intentionally collect animals. Their relationship with their animals has threatened their relationships with friends and family.

Most of these situations aren’t dealt with until they become criminal. This results in animals being euthanized by over-stressed shelters, and doesn’t address the underlying psychological issues - meaning nearly 100% of people end up in the same situation again.

We are dedicated to finding comprehensive long-term solutions and believe therapy to be key to this. We can bring in experts to help people and their pets.

If you or someone you know needs help because animals have overrun their life, visit www.animalhoardingproject.com to learn more and submit their story. Alternatively, contact me directly at help@animalhoardingproject.com or toll-free at
1 -877-698-7387.

We will treat all submissions with confidentiality and respect.