30 Dogs Locked in Cages: Italian Woman Denounced for Animal Hoarding Syndrome

A Shocking Discovery in Northern Italy

On the morning of July 24, 2025, forest police and local health authorities carried out a dramatic rescue operation in a small town in the lower Imagna Valley, near Bergamo. What they found inside a modest villa left them stunned: 30 dogs confined in cages, living in unhygienic and degrading conditions.

The dogs, including Peppino, Orco, and Perla—a female suffering from an untreated tumor—were malnourished, dirty, and in clear distress. Despite her intentions, the woman caring for them had neither the financial means nor the physical ability to provide even basic care. She suffers from “animal hoarding syndrome”, also known in Italy as the “Noah syndrome,” a psychological disorder that leads people to accumulate animals beyond their ability to care for them properly.

What Is Animal Hoarding?

Animal hoarding is a recognized behavioral disorder, though still widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed. Sufferers often believe they are rescuing or protecting animals, yet they inadvertently subject them to neglect, illness, and emotional distress.

According to Annarita D’Errico, national coordinator for the animal rights group LAV (Lega Anti Vivisezione), “This woman believed she was doing what was best for the dogs. But we were facing a clear case of extreme animal suffering, made worse by an undiagnosed pathology that society continues to overlook.”

The Road to Rescue: Whistleblowers and Warnings

The operation followed months of complaints from concerned neighbors, who had grown alarmed by the constant barking and poor conditions. In March, LAV received a tip and opened an investigation. By June 25, they filed a formal complaint to the Bergamo Prosecutor’s Office, citing mistreatment and improper animal detention.

“We learned the woman was planning to relocate the dogs out of fear they would be taken away,” D’Errico added. “We had to act fast to prevent the situation from worsening.”

A New Life for the Dogs

All 30 dogs have now been rescued and relocated to specialized animal shelters equipped to handle their recovery, both physical and emotional. These facilities will provide medical attention, rehabilitation, and—eventually—adoption opportunities.

For dogs like Perla, this means the first real chance at medical care and a pain-free life. And for others, it may be the beginning of the loving home they were never given.