Psychological disorder cause for dog hoarding in El Cajon

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — Investigators with the San Diego Humane Society say it’s one of the most extreme cases of animal hoarding they’ve ever seen.

Thursday, an El Cajon man agreed to surrender 78 dogs that were living in his home.

These dogs were in dire need of help and so was the El Cajon man who kept them confined in his home.

Stephen Mounger lived with 78 dogs, but he kept a low profile. Neighbors said they seldom heard any barking at all. That’s why Mounger’s neighbors were surprised and shocked when the San Diego Humane Society showed up on Thursday to look into a complaint about animal welfare.

Related Link: At least 70 dogs rescued from hoarder in El Cajon

The animal control team found close to 80 dogs in the house on El Monte Road. Most of them were chihuahua and dachshund mixes and other small breeds.

And even though they were living in a house filled with dog feces and urine, the dogs were remarkably in pretty good health.

Stephen MacKinnon is the chief of law enforcement for the humane society. He said the dogs’ owner was aware he had a problem.

According to neighbors, Mounger had lived and worked with his father until his father’s death two years ago.

Compulsive hoarding is a psychological disorder. Many hoarders refuse to part with the objects of their obsession, but Chief MacKinnon said this man seemed relieved to be giving up his animals. 

In the meantime, Mounger’s house has been condemned. The city has ordered the owner move out of the property.

One thing Mounger did have in order was the names of each dog. As they were being taken away, Mounger gave the animal control team the names of each and every dog, all 78 of them.