In France, a 68-year-old woman living in a small apartment was diagnosed with ‘Noah Syndrome’ after 159 cats and 7 dogs were found in her home. According to media reports, the woman was sentenced to a year of probation for keeping the animals in poor condition in her 80 square meter apartment.
The unidentified woman and her 52-year-old partner were constantly fighting with other neighbors over their pets. Finally, the neighbors alerted the police, who were shocked by the situation inside the woman’s home.
The animals were everywhere, with over 150 cats and 7 dogs found in addition to two dead cats and two dead dogs in the bathroom. Many of the animals were suffering from lack of water and food, with some having parasites on their skin. Several animals had also died in the past.
The elderly woman admitted in her statement that she had neglected to care for her pets properly, but despite this, the animals were like family to her.
After a psychological evaluation, the woman was diagnosed with ‘Noah Syndrome.’ The judge imposed a ban on keeping pets on the woman, and also ordered her and her partner to provide financial assistance of $160,000 to various animal welfare organizations.