AUGUSTA (AP) – State animal-welfare agents have confiscated 286 animals this year that were found living in abhorrent living conditions being cared for by people who are known as animal hoarders.

Animal-welfare officials say an animal hoarder is anyone who owns animals but is unable to properly take care of them. Animal hoarding has been in the spotlight in Maine with some recent highly publicized cases.

Norma Worley, director of the state animal-welfare program, said animal hoarders cross all demographic lines.

“Over two-thirds are women and the majority – men and women – are unmarried,” she said. “They begin hoarding in their 30s. And this is an interesting thing: They are generally well-educated, with some college, and all income levels are represented.”

On Thursday, Carol Murphy of New Sharon was ordered to spend 24 hours in jail for animal cruelty for not providing food, water or shelter to 60 animals.

In April, animal control officers seized 12 dehydrated dogs from a Washington County home and discovered the bodies of 18 more.

The next day, agents confiscated 92 English springer spaniels from a Dover-Foxcroft home where they had been living in unsanitary conditions without food or water.

In another case, 49 malnourished and neglected adult cats were seized from a home in the Bangor area. And last week, 28 dogs and cats were discovered in Vassalboro so severely neglected they all had to be put down by animal-control officers.

Ann LeBlanc, director of the state Forensic Service, said animal hoarding is considered a variant of obsessive-compulsive disorders and a delusion complex. Hoarders seem to believe they have a special ability to communicate with and understand animals, she said.

“Sometimes, hoarders have various emotional needs – being in control, being loved – and are not really able to handle relationships with people effectively,” LeBlanc said. “Having numerous animals fills that need. They have an affectionate relationship, until it gets out of hand.”