Allen County has no ordinance using the word 'hoarding,' but its public-nuisance-animal and forfeiture provisions plus Indiana's cruelty statute (IC 35-46-3) reach hoarding situations. A court may bar an owner from keeping any animal in Allen County for up to three years.
The Allen County Code Title 8, Article 33 does not define 'hoarding,' but several provisions apply. Large accumulations of animals become citable as 'public nuisance animals' under ACC 8-33-3-3 (up to $1,500 per occurrence). ACC 8-33-5-1 lets repeated violations result in forfeiture of the animals, and a court may prohibit the owner from owning or keeping any animal within Allen County for up to three years. Severe neglect or cruelty is prosecuted under Indiana's animal cruelty statute, IC 35-46-3, which the Sheriff's Department and prosecutor enforce alongside impoundment at the Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control shelter. Impounded animals are held per ACC 8-33-6-1, with redemption requiring proof of ownership and payment of fees.
Hoarding is addressed through public-nuisance fines (up to $1,500 per occurrence), forfeiture of animals, and a court ban on keeping animals for up to three years under ACC 8-33-5-1. Cruelty is prosecuted under IC 35-46-3 as a misdemeanor or felony.
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