Shelter owner arrested after 55 dogs rescued from home in rancid condition and more found dead in freezer

An Arizona woman who ran a shelter for dogs with special needs was arrested after 55 dogs were rescued from her home amid rancid conditions: some had to be euthanized and others were found already dead and stuffed in the freezer.

April Mclaughlin was booked Friday night when police raided her home in Chandler and found dozens of dogs living in their own feces and without water. The smell was so unpleasant that she called firefighters with special breathing apparatus to look for the poor dogs, CBS 5 reports.

During the search, police also found dead dogs stuffed in a freezer, which was stored near food for the other animals.

The animals were being kept at the home as part of the Special Needs Animal Welfare League, a shelter Mclaughlin ran that faced accusations of neglect and mistreatment.

April Mclaughlin was arrested Friday after police rescued 55 dogs from her home in Chandler, AZ. 3TV/CBS 5

Officials began investigating the matter on September 8, when a veterinary professional approached them about the condition of three dogs found at Mclaughlin’s home.

Chandler police then set out to rescue the animals on September 22, but were immediately stopped by the foul smell that greeted them inside the home, prompting a call to the fire department.

“We wanted to make sure there were no dangerous fumes in the residence with first responders inside a very small home, so they were asked to make sure everyone was safe inside the home,” said Chandler Police Sgt. Emma Huenneke told reporters.

Activists posted photos of the rescued animals on the fence around Mclaughlin's home. Activists posted photos of the rescued animals on the fence around Mclaughlin’s home. 3TV/CBS 5
Protesters held a demonstration in front of the home the night Mclaughlin was arrested and the dogs were rescued. Protesters held a demonstration in front of the home the night Mclaughlin was arrested and the dogs were rescued. 3TV/CBS 5

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As of Saturday, a total of 55 dogs were rescued from the home, which has now been condemned, police said. Mclaughlin’s mother was also taken from the ruined home.

Officers noted in court records that some of the rescued dogs had problems barking, and some were found covered in tarps or in wire cages stacked on top of each other.

Authorities said many of the dogs were found in such poor condition that they may need to be euthanized.

Many of the dogs kept at the home had special needs and were in such poor condition that police said they would be euthanized.Many of the dogs kept at the home had special needs and were in such poor condition that police said they would be euthanized. 3TV/CBS 5

Mclaughlin has denied the allegations leveled against his shelter and told police during an interview that there was nothing wrong with the way he stored the bodies of dead dogs near food.

Mclaughlin was charged with 110 misdemeanors, including two counts each of animal abuse. She was also charged with one count of vulnerable adult abuse.

She is currently being held in the Maricopa County Jail on $2,500 cash bail.

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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