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An Arizona woman accused of running a shady animal rescue where more than 50 dogs were found living in deplorable conditions at her Phoenix-area home faces new charges, police said Wednesday.
The Chandler Police Department initially arrested April McLaughlin on 55 charges each of misdemeanor animal abuse and cruelty to animals after seizing the dogs in September, but the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office sent the case back to police for further investigation. On Tuesday, investigators submitted 77 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges to the Chandler City Prosecutor for review, and an arrest warrant was issued. McLaughlin, also known as Sydney Taylor McKinley, was taken into custody without incident.
Police also have submitted nine felony animal cruelty charges to the Maricopa County DA’s Office and are awaiting a response, a press release said.
As Law&Crime previously reported, the investigation began in early September when animal rescue groups couldn’t contact McLaughlin. They became concerned the dogs were being neglected. When Chandler police raided the home, they were met with the foul odor of feces and urine. The home was in such bad condition it had to be condemned, a probable cause arrest affidavit said. The ammonia levels were deemed too high to inhale, so officials had to wear special equipment during the raid.
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April McLaughlin listens during an Oct. 11, 2023, hearing in which she petitioned to have 13 of the 55 dogs seized from her Phoenix-area home last month. The judge denied the request, citing the deplorable conditions the dogs were living in. The Arizona Humane Society will take care of the dogs. (KSAZ/YouTube)
The dogs were found living in their feces and urine. Some were in serious need of veterinarian care, including one dog with back legs with “the muscles exposed, the tendons exposed, the bones exposed,” according to the Arizona Humane Society. Another dog was dragging itself on its hind legs, while a third had trouble vocalizing. AHS also noticed about 25 to 30 dogs inside the 956-square-foot home. None of them had water or food, the affidavit said.
Five dead puppies were found in the freezer. McLaughlin was running the Special Needs Animal Welfare League rescue and allegedly was taking the dogs on as a source of income but not properly caring for them.
She tried to get the dogs back, but a judge denied her request last month. Most of the dogs were returned to their original owners, while the rest are being cared for by the Humane Society.
