On December 3, 2025, a cleaning company visited a pensioner’s home in Troyes, France the persistence of the neighborhood. There he found a case of extreme garbage accumulation. The scene that awaited you inside exceeded all expectations: a total of 5,000 garbage bags filled the house, each one full of garbage that had been accumulating for months. The scene showed the result of a daily coexistence with dirt, female Diogenes syndrome and forgetfulness about home hygiene.
Cleaning day couldn’t be solved with a simple visit. The team hired by the authorities took advantage three full days in the systematic removal of all bags and in the decontamination of the site. The amount of waste removed made the operation one of the largest in the region, reflecting the severity of the case after months of apparent environmental devastation at the facility.
The house, located on one of the city’s residential streets, was already in a derelict state from the outside, but the extent of the discovery surprised both cleaning staff and residents. institutional managers. This episode marked a turning point both for the affected neighborhood and for the authorities, who until then could only act on the sidelines in the face of the inconveniences repeatedly reported by residents.
The neighbors in the area were relieved and resigned when they found out about the encroachment on the house. For months, residents suffered from a persistent and deep smell, made worse by the high temperatures and the inability to ventilate the houses without the odors penetrating inside. One of the residents pointed out that he must have done it Avoid using your balcony in the middle of summer as the cat urine permeated the atmosphere and it was impossible to enjoy the outdoor areas.
These statements reflect the level of discomfort caused by the situation. The systematic accumulation of waste and coexistence with it about fifty cats Inside the house, the unsanitary problems worsened, extending beyond the property lines and affecting daily life in the neighborhood.
Behind the critical condition of the accommodation, the reports suggested a mental health problem that is little understood and often invisible: Diogenes syndrome. This condition is characterized by the compulsive accumulation of objects and waste, the abandonment of personal and domestic hygiene, and a strong separation from the social environment. In this case, the retiree shared the space with dozens of cats, which further highlighted the health risks and deterioration of the home.
Local authorities faced significant limitations in their ability to intervene. Despite the pressure exerted by the neighborhood and the seriousness of the situation, the city’s mayor, Thierry Mercuzet, openly declared the limited ability to act in the face of one possible relapse. According to them, it is “a matter of private life”, which puts the responsibility outside the direct control of the city administration and makes it difficult to repeat measures in similar situations.
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