The owner of a Valley pet rescue is accused of animal abuse after a sick and emaciated dog was taken to the Arizona Humane Society by a concerned citizen.
Rebekah Fox-Laverty, owner of Mavyn Dog Rescue, was recently detained near 9th Avenue and Hatcher Road on charges of animal cruelty for failing to provide medical care. She was released from jail Friday afternoon.
The arrest comes after a video surfaced on Facebook Dec. 7 of a sick dog who had allegedly been removed from the rescue.
The video was taken by Alesia Apocada, a friend of Fox-Laverty. She says she was asked to check-in on the dogs while Fox-Laverty underwent spinal surgery.
According to the video's post, two dogs were removed from Mavyn rescue.
"She was my friend," Apocada said. "It's awkward but it's not personal. It has nothing to do with her. I'm on the dog's side. I gave her the chance to do the right thing and she didn't do it so she gave me no choice."
The animals are now in the care of the suspect's friend, Bonnie Stanley.
"I absolutely believe her heart was in the right place when she started," Stanley said. "But, the past year has been really rough for her. She has had several physical ailments; she has had surgeries."
One of the dogs was taken to the emergency veterinarian where she was euthanized. However, a second dog, a 4-year-old Labrador Retriever, was taken to the Arizona Humane Society for treatment.
The Facebook post said there were multiple rabbits also removed due to safety concerns.
An adoption event is going to be held for the dogs once they're examined and treated at Alta Vista Animal Hospital.
