Global Courant
An estimated 55 dogs were rescued from a woman’s Arizona home for special needs dogs after they were discovered living in filthy conditions, as well as dogs reportedly found dead in a freezer.
Police in Chandler responded to April Mclaughlin’s home Friday and found dozens of dogs living in squalor without water. Mclaughlin had run a shelter for dogs with special needs, but the reality was that they ended up in such filthy conditions that firefighters had to wear special equipment to breathe in the home, according to AZ Family.
Officials began the investigation on September 8 after a veterinarian contacted police that some of Mclaughlin’s dogs were not in healthy conditions. Police responded to Mclaughlin’s home on September 22 to investigate the health of the dogs housed at her Special Needs Animal Welfare League.
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Dog left on the street. (iStock)
A total of 55 dogs and Mclaughlin’s mother were rescued from the home. Live dogs were found in wire crates stacked on top of each other, others were found under tarps.
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An undisclosed number of dogs were found frozen in Mclaughlin’s freezer, AZ Family reported. She reportedly told police she saw no problem with keeping dead dogs in her freezer next to frozen food.
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“We wanted to make sure there were no hazardous fumes released into the home with first responders in a very small home, so that’s why they were asked to make sure everyone was safe in the home,” said Chandler Police Sgt. Emma Huenneke told local reporters
April McLaughlin was arrested in Arizona after allegedly abusing dozens of dogs. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
Other dogs in the house were in such poor condition that they had difficulty expressing their barks, according to the outlet. A handful of dogs were euthanized due to their conditions.
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A police vehicle in Chandler, Arizona. (Chandler Arizona PD/FB)
Mclaughlin was charged with 110 felonies, one count of abuse by vulnerable adults and other charges. She is being held on a $2,500 bond.
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The Arizona Humane Society took charge of the remaining live dogs found in the home, according to a police news release.
