The first accusation came when someone called police concerned that Blanche Cunningham was being abused. Police visited and officers felt that her condition and the conditions of the home warranted concern.

At that point, Adult Protective Services got involved and made recommendations for how to improve the situation. Falslev said that things got cleaned up a little bit once a home care nurse started coming daily. He said the real problem was that the nurse would leave medical instructions for care that Blanche Cunningham should receive and they were not followed.

"(The nurse) came back and the mother had never seen any care, and basically he is responsible for the care of his mother," said Falslev. "If someone says take care of this medical issue, and you don't, then you are going to be held accountable for that."

Cunningham said that his mother was happy up until the final month of her life, when she was in the hospital and care center. He said that most of her days were spent sitting in the sun, relaxing and being with the dogs that she loved so much. Cunningham says people are quick to judge and don't take the time to see things from another's perspective.

A judge has already ordered Cunningham to get rid of some of his birds, but he could also be in danger of losing his many other animals. A city ordinance allows no more than two dogs unless the owner has a kennel license, and according to police, Cunningham does not have one.

Cunningham says he's not worried about the birds, because he doesn't feel a deep attachment to them. But his dogs have helped him get through life, and he says they now help comfort him as he mourns his mother's death.

"If the dogs were taken away, that would destroy me," he said. "They are my family. I wouldn't be able to live without them."

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E-mail: ethomas@desnews.com