Months after the discovery of 55 neglected dogs kept in filthy conditions, the Chandler City Council has unanimously approved an amendment to the city code that could prevent such atrocities in the future.
Ordinance No. 4992 provides officers additional power to seize animals in cases of neglect, abandonment, or abuse — and expands the definition of animal cruelty to include animal hoarding, according to Fox 10.
“This change will ensure that animals are not returned to neglectful and/or abusive homes,” the agenda stated.
The news comes after public outcry responding to the ‘House of Horrors’ in Chandler, Arizona where officers found 55 dogs, most of whom had special needs, without water, living in filth, and in need of medical care, according to news. On further inspection, officers discovered five dead puppies inside a freezer at the home.
The conditions within the house were so extreme that officers were required to wear hazmat suits to enter the home, according to the Daily Mail.
Following the seizure of the dogs, courts denied a request from the accused woman to have 13 of the dogs returned to her, news said. 34 dogs have been returned to their previous rescues, while five of the animals had to be euthanized due to extreme neglect. In November, the woman accused was arrested on suspicion of 77 additional charges related to the case.
We thank all who spoke out against this cruelty and applaud officials for passing this ordinance to prevent animal cruelty in the future.
If you haven’t already, please sign the petition urging the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to ensure that the individual(s) responsible for this cruelty is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
SIGN: Justice for 50+ Neglected Dogs Including 5 Dead Puppies in Freezer at ‘Rescue’
