I had no idea. (I also didn't read the news story, so that's my own fault).
I guess it completely depends on the situation...
When mental illness is involved, it can be a whole other thing. The most important thing here, to me anyways, is that the animals get taken care of (along with the person who had them) and that the public be aware. As in, of THE TRUTH. But, when the hell does that ever happen with the media.