39 dogs in 42 square metres: a woman in Sweden has been convicted of animal cruelty after neighbours complained of a smell in the stairwell

What happened

On 10 November 2026 it emerged that the district court in the Swedish town of Falun had found a woman in her sixties from southern Dalarna county guilty of gross animal cruelty. The case concerns 39 dogs that lived in her flat of just 42 square metres. The story was reported by Swedish television, SVT.

A smell in the stairwell

It all began in August 2024. Neighbours complained of an unpleasant smell in the stairwell, and a representative of the housing company visited the flat. At that time there were ten dogs inside. Even that number is far too many for a small flat, but the real scale of the problem only became clear later.

More dogs within a year

A year later, according to the verdict, there were at least 18 dogs in the flat. The animals were breeding, and the owner did not limit their number. In July 2025 staff from the county administrative board — the regional authority responsible for animal welfare in Sweden — came to the flat. They removed 39 dogs.

Males, females and puppies

Among the dogs removed were 17 males, 16 females and 6 puppies. This mix shows that the animals were breeding freely. Without neutering and keeping males and females apart, the number of dogs in such a flat can grow very quickly, and each new litter makes conditions worse for all of them.

Conditions in the flat

The verdict describes the flat as dirty, soiled with urine and faeces. Many of the dogs were matted, dirty and in need of care. Some of them later had to be put down. SVT does not say how many dogs were rehomed.

The defendant's position

The woman admitted keeping the dogs in her flat. But she said she had not neglected them either intentionally or through carelessness. The court disagreed and found that she was responsible for the conditions in which the dogs lived throughout the time they were with her.

The sentence

Falun district court gave the woman a conditional sentence and community service for gross animal cruelty in the period from August 2024 to July 2025. In Sweden gross animal cruelty can also lead to prison, but the court apparently took into account the circumstances of the case and the defendant's personal situation.

What animal hoarding is

Specialists call cases like this animal hoarding. A person collects more and more animals but cannot provide even basic care. They often sincerely believe they love and are rescuing them, and fail to notice the dirt, disease and suffering. This is not simply "too many dogs" but a serious problem linked to mental health. Such cases occur among people of any age and income.

Why it is hard to spot

People who hoard animals often live in isolation and do not let others in. Neighbours notice only the smell, barking or noise. Sometimes years pass before someone reports it to the authorities. In this case the first signal was the smell in the stairwell, and only the neighbours' complaint made intervention possible.

Signs of hoarding

What to look out for:

1. A strong smell of urine and ammonia from a flat or house.
2. Constant barking, howling or the noise of many animals.
3. A person often brings home new animals, but none are seen on walks.
4. Windows are kept shut and the owner does not let visitors in.
5. The animals that can be seen are thin, dirty and matted.

How to report it in Sweden

In Sweden, suspected animal cruelty is reported to the county administrative board, the regional authority responsible for animal welfare. A report can be made through the board's website. If an animal is in immediate danger, you can call the police. The board assesses the report and carries out an inspection if needed. In the UK, concerns can be reported to the RSPCA or the local authority.

Animal keeping bans

Swedish law allows a person to be banned from keeping animals if they have seriously breached the rules on animal care. However, such bans are not always respected: Swedish media this week reported another case in which a person acquired new animals despite a ban. Enforcement is one of the weak points of the system.

The health of dogs from such flats

Dogs that have lived for a long time in cramped and dirty conditions suffer from a whole range of health problems: parasites, skin infections, ear infections, dental disease, overgrown claws and wounds from fights. Ammonia from urine can cause eye and respiratory problems. Bitches that have had many litters often develop problems with the uterus and mammary glands.

Why some have to be put down

Sometimes dogs from such flats are so ill or traumatised that they cannot be cured. They may have severe chronic disease, intense pain or extreme emaciation. In such cases vets decide on euthanasia to end the suffering. It is a hard decision but sometimes the only humane one.

Behaviour after removal

Dogs that grew up without normal contact with people and without walks are often afraid of the outdoors, the lead and new sounds. Many are not house-trained. They need time and patient owners. The good news is that many such dogs eventually settle and become calm family pets.

If you adopt such a dog

New owners should give the dog a quiet place where it is not disturbed, avoid forcing contact and let it approach on its own. Walks are best started in quiet places. A trainer or behaviour specialist can help. And a vet check is essential, even if the dog was treated after it was removed.

Help for people

Animal hoarding specialists stress that removing the animals alone is not enough. Without help for the person, there is a high chance they will gather animals again after a while. That is why in some countries such cases involve not only veterinary services and police but also social services and psychologists.

Why neutering matters

This case shows how quickly the number of unneutered dogs grows. A bitch can have puppies twice a year, with several pups per litter. Within a couple of years, a few dogs become dozens. Neutering protects not only against unwanted litters but also against some diseases.

How many dogs can you keep

The law usually does not limit the number of dogs in a flat directly, but it requires that each has enough space, exercise, care and veterinary attention. Sweden has detailed rules on keeping dogs, including requirements for walks and contact with people. When conditions do not allow this, the authorities can intervene.

The role of neighbours

Neighbours are often reluctant to interfere in someone else's life. But in cases of animal cruelty, their report may be the dogs' only chance. It is enough to describe what you see, hear and smell and pass it on to the authorities. The specialists will investigate and draw conclusions.

Consequences for the building

Dozens of dogs in a small flat are also a problem for neighbours: smell, noise, insects and damage to the flat and shared property. After such cases flats often need major renovation. Housing companies and building managers can also report suspicions to the authorities, as happened in Dalarna.

Risk to people

The unsanitary conditions in which dozens of animals live are dangerous for people too. Ammonia from urine irritates the eyes and airways, and bacteria, parasites and insects breed in the dirt. Some dog diseases, such as ringworm, mange and worm infections, can pass to humans. That is why staff removing animals work in protective clothing and masks.

What this means for Europe

Cases of animal hoarding are regularly uncovered across Europe — in flats, houses and on farms. Approaches differ: some countries focus on punishment, others on helping the owner and follow-up checks. The Swedish case shows how important it is for neighbours and housing companies to report problems and for the authorities to see the case through.

When to see a vet

Take a dog to the vet if it has a matted coat, itching, discharge from the ears or eyes, bad breath, overgrown claws or wounds. Urgent help is needed for severe emaciation, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, difficulty breathing or if the dog cannot stand. Dogs taken from poor conditions should always be examined first.