55 special needs dogs seized from a Chandler home are placed with rescue groups

Published: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 5:05am

Updated: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 9:48am

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Dr. Steven Hansen and Rachel Mitchell stand on either side of a podium with microphones on it. Billy the bulldog is in his cart next to them.

Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ

Dr. Steven Hansen (left), County Attorney Rachel Mitchell (center) and Tracey Miller (right) on Jan. 16, 2024. Billy the bulldog was present while they spoke about him and four other dogs from April McLaughlin's home being placed with rescue groups.

The last of 55 special needs dogs seized from a Chandler home last year have been placed with rescue groups capable of caring for their unique conditions.

“It’s not the end of the case, but for these dogs it’s time for them to go home,” said Dr. Steven Hansen with the Arizona Humane Society.

Months after their removal from conditions police said were deplorable, Cody, Maddie, Billy, Xander, and Skylar are all on the way to their forever homes with wagging tails.

“The takeaway is resilience,” Hansen said. “I was here on Sept. 22, and the condition of the animals was horrific. Beyond horrific. And now, you saw five dogs that are gonna go home today and they’re all doing very well. They’ve all gained weight, they’re healthy.”

Those five dogs were among dozens found inside the home of Amber McLaughlin last September. McLaughlin was arrested and faces dozens of misdemeanor charges from Chandler city prosecutors related to animal abuse and cruelty.

Cody is a medium-sized dog with ears that stick straight up and a white, tan, and dark brown or black coat. He is walking on a leash indoors.

Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ

Cody was one of the dogs removed from April McLaughlin's Chandler home in September 2023.

Last week, McLaughlin was rearrested and charged by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office with neglect, abandonment and cruel mistreatment of animals. In light of this case, Republican Rep. T.J. Shope has introduced a bill that would provide clarity around existing laws on things like animals’ basic needs.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell says Arizona’s animal cruelty laws can be strengthened.

“Any time that we can further narrow the definition of words like ‘water’ and ‘food’ and ‘shelter,’ and make it more explainable, it’s going to help us be more successful in prosecution,” Mitchell said.

Senate Bill 1047 would specify that failure to provide necessary medical attention constitutes cruelty. It further clarifies standards around things like food; that it must be appropriate for the species, fit for consumption, and given daily.

“Nobody can say, ‘Well, they had water,’” said Mitchell. “OK, but it wasn’t drinkable. It was full of bacteria, and that type of thing. So that narrows that down and it takes kind of uncertain terms and makes them more clear, [so] that we can assist the jury in understanding what the law is actually looking for and targeting.”

Billy appears to be a brown and white bull dog. He is sitting in a large basket, which is covered in a red blanket, so a volunteer can wheel him around.

Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ

Billy was one of the dogs removed from April McLaughlin's Chandler home in September 2023.

Mitchell also asked for the public’s help finding Lester Paul Richmond. Richmond was indicted last month for “intentionally subjecting a domestic animal to cruel mistreatment,” a class five felony, but has not been located.

The Humane Society saw a 21% increase in the number of animal abuse cases it opened last year, compared to 2022. Of the calls they receive, Hansen said the Humane Society gets involved with “a lot of hoarding cases.”

Phoenix city code defines animal hoarding as when “a person owns, possesses, keeps, harbors, or maintains ten or more animals under circumstances injurious to the health or welfare of any animal or person.”

While it’s generally considered a form of animal cruelty, animal hoarding isn’t usually defined by the number of animals alone. Plus, following cases from the initial call to any kind of resolution is often difficult.

“It’s a big problem in the Valley,” Hansen said. “We’ve got wide open land here. People have spaces, and they fill them up with animals sometimes.”

Xander appears to be a kind of German shepard, with a tan and black coat and bright blue eyes. He is walking on a leash toward the camera.

Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ

Xander was one of the dogs removed from April McLaughlin's Chandler home in September 2023.

Landing on a definition isn’t the only tricky part, either.

“Generally, there is a mental health component,” said Hansen, noting that’s where the Department of Health and Human Services would normally step in.

“Sometimes it’s actually a hoarding case where the person raises their hand and says, ‘Hey I'm in over my head, can you help?’ Those are relatively good cases because we’re able to step right in and take care of the animals,” he said. “It’s people that don’t know there’s a problem, like in April’s case, or won’t admit to it that’s particularly frightening.”

Although cases of animal abuse tend to happen behind closed doors, Hansen urged the public to step forward if they suspect something is going on.