The individual arrested for allegedly neglecting dozens of senior dogs with special needs — in what has become known as the “House of Horrors” in Chandler, Arizona — has been denied an appeal for dog ownership rights, according to news.
This decision by the judge means that the dogs that were confiscated will not be returned to her.
April McLaughlin has also been indicted on 24 counts of animal cruelty and failure to provide medical treatment to an animal, according to local news. The accused is now facing eight felony charges and 16 misdemeanor charges, as well as 77 misdemeanors in the city of Chandler.
These charges follow further investigation from authorities after the case was initially brought to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
McLaughlin was first charged with animal neglect misdemeanors after law enforcement responded to the reports of alleged cruelty at the house. Law enforcement allegedly discovered five dead puppies in a freezer and 55 dogs in such horrific condition that they were confiscated for medical care. Tragically, not all of the seized dogs survived.
Dozens of innocent dogs reportedly suffered from living in filth, lack of water, overcrowding, and lack of medical care at the Chandler House.
The horrific conditions that the dogs were discovered in prompted the Chandler City Council to amend the city code by approving new ordinances to prevent animal cruelty last year.
Thank you to everyone who signed our petition urging the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to treat this case with the severity it deserves and to ensure the individual responsible for the neglect of 50+ innocent dogs is not allowed to have or work with animals again.
Lady Freethinker will continue to monitor this case.
