Hoarders endanger the health and lives of every living creature in their possession, and the suffering they cause is extreme and long term. The rate of recidivism for hoarders nears 100%. Currently, most states have no mandatory requirements keeping convicted animal hoarders away from animals following their convictions. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is urging states to adopt a First Strike and You're Out law—a model law written by ALDF that would prevent animal abusers from having the chance to harm other animals again. We need to educate prosecutors, judges, and legislators that hoarding is like alcoholism: an incurable addiction that means that they must never have another drink-or, in this case, another animal. This proposed legislation would stop convicted hoarders from going on to abuse other animals—you can ask your legislators to support a First Strike and You're Out law via an online letter at http://www.aldf.org/firststrike. The current issue of O, The Oprah Magazine gives an in-depth profile of how the Animal Legal Defense Fund used the law to rescue 300+ dogs from an animal hoarder (http://www.aldf.org/oprah).

I adopted two dogs that were confiscated from Cindy Bemis over three years ago. These poor dogs are so grateful for any bit of attention that I give them. They didn't know what dog biscuits were or the concept of toys. When I threw a ball for them, one of them whimpered and ducked because she thought I was going to hit her. Thankfully, they are well on their way to recovery. I hope that anyone reading the story will open their hearts and homes to one of the 170 dogs. They have had a difficult life and the look in their eyes when you pet them is the reward of a lifetime.

I applaud the da for prosecuting this case that will hopefully send a message that kern county will not permit animal abuse. Rather than focusing their attention on legislating limits (the current plan by kcac) focusing on abuse cases is an appropriate plan. Hoarders aren't hard to find. Their neighbors make numerous complaints. Anyone could see that 170 dogs being kept in one facility with 2 or 3 caretakers are not going to be cared for even minimally. It is frustrating to note that despite years in residence in kern county, in took only months in l.a. county and literally days in riverside couty before this abusive situation was confronted. Keep up the good work Kern County- and please continue going after the bad guys, rather than coming up with plans to make the many pay for the crimes of the few.