Hoarder with Long History of Animal Abuse Eaten by Pet Wolfdogs
The remains of a woman who spent decades abusing animals were found inside her western Kentucky home earlier this month. Authorities believe the parts of her body not found had been consumed by her pet wolfdogs.
Ohio County Sheriff's Deputies paid Patricia Ritz a visit after her neighbors reported not having seen the woman for a couple of weeks.
Inside the Fordsville home, officials found Ritz's skull and jawbone, as well as the bones of some 50 wolf-dog hybrids.
Another 50 or so wolfdogs were found roaming the property, and officials said they believe the dogs feasted on Ritz's body after she died of natural causes.
An exact cause of death has yet to be determined.
Ritz has a long history of dog hoarding and animal cruelty convictions dating back to 1986.
According to animal rescue group Adopt-a-Husky, when 184 dogs were found at her home in 1999, 159 of them had to be euthanized.
Ritz was allowed to keep the remaining dogs, but had to promise she would spay or neuter them.
She apparently flouted that promise because, in 2003, a further 34 dogs had to be euthanized.
Of the dogs rescued from Ritz's property this time around, many remain hospitalized but will end up at rescue facilities and sanctuaries upon their release.
"After the sadness, there was relief," said Adopt-a-Husky rep Mary Beth Kolb. "There absolutely was relief that this will never happen again."
