CHANDLER, AZ — The woman at the center of a Chandler animal abuse investigation appeared in court Wednesday to attempt to regain custody of her dogs.
During the hearing, April McLaughlin told the judge she was only fighting to regain custody of 13 of the dogs, instead of the 47 she was originally fighting for.
McLaughlin called the 13 dogs she was fighting for "family dogs." The Deputy City Prosecutor still told the Judge he was asking the animals not to be returned to McLaughlin.
The judge ultimately denied her custody of the 13 dogs.
Last month, a search warrant led to dozens of dogs being removed from McLaughlin’s East Valley home.
A member of the Arizona Humane Society and a Sergeant with the Chandler Police Department described the gruesome conditions in which they found the dogs.
"I observed for myself that their paws were covered in feces and urine, and their coats were stained," said Ruthie Jesus with the Arizona Humane Society.
Sgt. Nicole Vasey said when she stepped inside McLaughlin’s house her eyes watered and it was hard to breathe.
Both described dogs with open wounds and extremely poor health conditions.
Sgt. Vasey said, in addition to the five puppies discovered in a freezer, McLaughlin took two deceased dogs to a local vet before the search warrant was served at her home.
Without presenting any evidence throughout the hearing, McLaughlin gave her final statement.
"The dogs that I’m asking for are family members," said McLaughlin.
She insisted the dogs received enough food and water, and that her home was liveable.
But the judge made it clear how she felt, before denying McLaughlin’s request for custody.
"The dogs, all of them that you had were subjected to cruel neglect, so I am going to grant the seizing agency request for these dogs not to be returned to you," said the Judge.
The judge, according to the Arizona Humane Society, directed that the 13 dogs at the center of Wednesday's hearing will be kept in the care of the humane society "so the respondent may exercise her appellate rights."
The Arizona Humane Society says it is now working to reunite the other 34 dogs with their former owners or rescue groups. Seven of the dogs removed had already been reunited with their original rescues.
After the hearing, the Arizona Humane Society released the following statement:
"The Arizona Humane Society (AHS) is beyond thrilled to be one step closer to reuniting the remaining 47 dogs seized from a Chandler residence on September 22 to their former owners or rescue groups.
At the beginning of today’s hearing to decide whether the dogs would be released to April McLaughlin, the petitioner informed the judge she was no longer requesting 47 dogs and instead petitioning for 13 dogs. The prosecutor asked the court to issue an abandonment order for 34 dogs. As soon as AHS receives the order, our team will begin the process of reuniting the 34 dogs released to our care with their former owners or rescue groups.
Regarding the remaining 13 dogs, the judge ruled that the dogs will not be released back to McLaughlin. The judge directed that AHS hold the dogs for 14 days so the respondent may exercise her appellate rights. We are cautiously optimistic that, in the end, full legal custody of the remaining dogs will be transferred to AHS."
Many of the dogs removed from McLaughlin's house on September 22 were special needs dogs. Officials say five dogs were found dead in a freezer at the home and others that were rescued had to be euthanized due to their conditions.
McLaughlin, who has reportedly gone by multiple other names and runs an animal rescue called Special Needs Animal Welfare League (SNAWL), originally faced 111 charges in relation to this case — 110 charges related to animal abuse and neglect, and one for vulnerable adult abuse. When filing for the hearing, she used the name Sydney McKinley.
RELATED: ABC15 learns more about Chandler woman at center of animal cruelty investigation
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, McLaughlin was released from jail and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office sent the case back to the Chandler Police Department for further investigation.
A limited number of people from the community were allowed in the courtroom during the hearing. An ABC15 crew says 25 members of the public were allowed in.
People cheered outside when the decision was announced.
ABC15 attempted to speak to McLaughlin when she was leaving the hearing, but she didn't answer any questions.
Other animal rescues have spoken out against McLaughlin.
The city is asking anyone with information to come forward as they continue the investigation.
