Inside Animal Hoarding: The Case of Barbara Erickson and her 552 Dogs (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond) [Perfect Paperback]

Arnold Arluke (Author), Celeste Killeen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2009 | Series: New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond

Inside Animal Hoarding profiles one of the largest and most intriguing cases of animal hoarding in recent history. Celeste Killeen's investigation pries open the door to Barbara Erickson's hidden and closely guarded life, offering an in-depth view of animal hoarding. The chaos and torment discovered by local officials who'd responded to a ramshackle farmhouse in eastern Oregon was described as otherworldly, unbelievable. But, it was only the sad ending to a lifelong story of betrayal, abuse and abandonment. This in-depth look at how animal hoarding developed in one woman's life offers the rich detail and context so important in understanding how to recognize and respond to it and maybe even prevent it. Dr. Arnold Arluke's discussion follows the Erickson story with current research on animal hoarding and how it ties into the Erickson case. Drawing from his background in sociology and extensive study of the human/animal relationship, Arluke offers further insight about animal hoarders, how they see themselves, how society deals with them, and why people find them so perplexing. This integration of investigative journalism and scholarship offers a fresh approach with appeal to a broad audience of readers, those new to learning about the phenomenon, and those with first-hand experience in the animal welfare field.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Arnold Arluke, a professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Northeastern University and a senior research fellow at the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy, is the co-author of Regarding Animals that won Charles Horton Cooley Book Award, Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction (1997). He is also the associate editor of Society and Animals, and co-editor of Temple University's series in Animals, Culture and History. Celeste Killeen works as a Family Preservation Specialist for a small social services company in Boise, Idaho. She holds a BS degree in psychology and a curiosity about the human/animal bond.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 235 pages
• Publisher: Purdue University Press (March 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557535116
• ISBN-13: 978-1557535115
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,028,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arnie Arluke is Professor of Sociology at Northeastern University and Senior Scholar at the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy. His research examines conflicts and contradictions in human-animal relationships. His writing has received awards from the American Sociological Association, the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction, the International Association for Human-Animal Interaction Organizations, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He edits with Clinton Sanders the Animals, Culture, and Society series for Temple University Press.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chilling Study of Animal Hoarding, November 13, 2009

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Wave Tossed (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Inside Animal Hoarding: The Case of Barbara Erickson and her 552 Dogs (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond) (Perfect Paperback)

I've seen accounts in Animal Planet's "Animal Cops" TV programs that show animals rescued from hoarders. What one sees is horrific: cats, dogs, birds, other animals kept in mind-boggling conditions: Animals being starved in filthy conditions with chronic disease that never get treated, animals that never get to experience the comfort and joy of loving human hands, animals forced to fend for themselves, sometimes resorting to canibalism. These shows -- and statistics -- report that most animals (particularly cats) rescued from hoarders have to be euthanized because of extreme poor health and/or lack of socialization.

I recently adopted a Siamese cat who had been rescued from a hoarding situation. He reportedly arrived at the shelter covered with fleas and external parasites; he was frightened and shaking. With the tender loving care of people from the Siamese Cat Rescue Center, the fleas are gone; he is healthy and took the first steps in learning to trust and love human beings. Now in his forever home with me, he has blossomed into a cuddling purr-baby. He is very friendly with my one other cat. He was one of the fortunate victims of hoarding; he didn't have to be euthanized.

I acquired this book; I wanted to find out the mind-set of a person who would claim to "love" her "babies" and yet keep them in conditions that resemble a torture-camp for animals. The book is in two parts, one a novella-like account of a particular hoarder, Barbara Erickson; the other part a generalized study of the phenomenon of animal hoarding. This book chilled me to the bone.

Barbara Erickson hoarded dogs. She kept more than 500 dogs in a small house: crowded, filthy, underfed, unsocialized, ungroomed, rarely taken to a vet; when rescuers finally arrived, half-eaten puppies were found. She claimed that these were her "babies" and that she "loved" them; she expressed no dismay at the terrible conditions that the dogs had been forced to live in. She was tried and convicted of several counts of animal cruelty (all misdemeanors). She spent a few weeks in jail and was sentenced to probation.

The book gives a straightforward account of the fate of the rescued dogs. There are some detailed descriptions: One dog that Mrs. Erickson named "Storm Born" had a badly deformed jaw and suffered other medical conditions; another dog, "Bingo" constantly launched himself against the wires of his cage. Both of these dogs, along with over 100 others had to be euthanized because of their deformities, poor health and/or having literally been driven insane by the conditions. The remainder (over 400) were saved and were adopted out to "special needs" homes; most reportedly continued to show signs of the trauma that they had suffered.

The book also outlines community problems brought on by animal hoarding. Unless strict guidelines are imposed and followed by law enforcement/mental health professionals, the recidivism rate is 100%. There are cases where animal control officers seize animals and the hoarder packs up, moves and acquires more animals; Barbara Erickson followed this plan more than once. Large scale seizures and rescues consume scarce resources; prosecution is very difficult. Many communities attempt to ignore the hoarding problem in the hope that it will just "go away" i.e. the hoarder will take her/his animals and move somewhere else. There is also a problem with perception: the idea that hoarders suffers from mental illnesses and thus truly aren't criminally responsible. Many people are familiar with stories of the "crazy cat (or dog) lady" and don't face the truth that this person, who "loves too much" is cruelly mistreating helpless animals.

This book delves into myths and uncovers painful truths. Highly recommended.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for sharing valuable information, May 17, 2009

By 

Linda A. Devaney (Boise, ID USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inside Animal Hoarding: The Case of Barbara Erickson and her 552 Dogs (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond) (Perfect Paperback)

I am fascinated with the concept of hoarding in general and as it pertains to animals in particular. It's difficult to get your mind around the idea that the hoarder can't actually "see" what they are doing. This book is very helpful in coming to terms with that concept. It also helps to understand that our societal attitude toward animal hoarding is irresponsible at best and enabling at worst. I found this little window into the world of Barbara Erickson to be interesting and well presented.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK EXPLORING ANIMAL HOARDING, April 18, 2010

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MSW GRAD Student (Boston MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside Animal Hoarding: The Case of Barbara Erickson and her 552 Dogs (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond) (Perfect Paperback)

For anyone interested in learning more about animal hoarding, this book is a must read! Our entire class read it and rated it as best assignment of the year. While disturbing, it gives the reader a full understanding of the problem of animal hoarding. An unusual and interesting book packed full of info re:a complex and perplexing problem.