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CHANDLER, ARIZONA: April Mclaughlin, who was running a rescue operation for special needs dogs from her residence in Arizona, was arrested and is currently facing numerous charges of animal abuse and cruelty as of Friday, September 22.
She was taken into custody following the execution of a search warrant at her home in Chandler, Arizona.
According to KPHO, she has been booked on 55 counts of animal abuse, 55 counts of animal cruelty, and one count of vulnerable adult abuse, all stemming from the discoveries made at her residence.
Several agencies, including the Arizona Humane Society, responded to the scene and assisted in the removal of several dogs from the property.
Safety concerns led to dispatch of a hazardous materials team during search of April Mclaughlin's residence
Authorities conducted a search of April Mclaughlin's property based on information provided by a veterinarian concerning the well-being of three dogs. Upon their arrival at the residence, law enforcement officers detected a noxious smell and subsequently called for a hazardous materials team.
"We wanted to ensure there weren’t hazardous fumes occurring at the residence with first responders inside a very small home," said Chandler Police Sgt Emma Huenneke.
Hazmat teams were also deployed due to reports of a foul odor emanating from the home, which could be detected from the street. Many of the dogs taken from the residence were disabled and unable to walk.
Mclaughlin's arrest comes after weeks of allegations made by various animal rights organizations and dog rescues, both locally and from outside the state. The groups had been using social media to raise awareness about the alleged mistreatment of dogs under her care.
Serious accusations surrounding April Mclaughlin's alleged dog rescue operation
Accusations against April Mclaughlin include claims that she took in special needs dogs from other rescues that lacked the resources to care for them properly.
Her rescue, the Special Needs Animal Welfare League, has been claimed to not be a legitimate facility but rather her own home.
Instead of providing adequate care, Mclaughlin is accused of mistreating the dogs, including allegedly removing their wheelchairs and leaving them malnourished, among other deplorable conditions.
Some court documents obtained by local media appear to support these claims, including the discovery of dead dogs in her freezer.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Mclaughlin used multiple aliases to run her activities.
It is unclear whether the suspect is still in custody, as some reports suggest she was taken to Maricopa County Jail on a $2,500 cash-only bond. Despite her status, her residence has been officially condemned by authorities.
