CHANDLER, AZ — More animal rescues are speaking out about their experiences with April McLaughlin, the woman at the center of an animal cruelty investigation.
It's been one week since McLaughlin's home was raided by police and 55 dogs were removed from her home.
At the home, McLaughlin was operating a special needs rescue known as the Special Needs Animal Welfare League.
“It’s really, really hard,” said Koco Garcia.
She and Kimberly Elliot help run rescues of their own and are emotional about the last few weeks.
Garcia told ABC15 that, like other rescues, she trusted McLaughlin to care for her dog.
“I thought that my dog was in good hands, and he wasn't,” said Garcia.
Garcia said she still doesn't know where Marbles, the blind dog she placed in McLaughlin’s care, is currently.
She does admit she did not do a check on the home while she was trying to help get Marbles out of an unhealthy living situation. Instead, she relied on other rescues for guidance.
When she learned of growing allegations against McLaughlin, she started trying to raise attention and find Marbles.
Court documents said when McLaughlin’s home was raided, dogs were found in their own feces and urine. Also in the home, five dead puppies were discovered in a freezer.
The smell of ammonia was so strong that first responders had to wear special gear to enter the home. Police said McLaughlin's mother was also living inside.
After McLaughlin was arrested, and more than 100 charges recommended; the case was sent back to Chandler Police for further investigation and McLaughlin was released.
RELATED: Chandler police asking for public's help in abuse investigation at animal rescue
During her initial appearance, McLaughlin gave the name of Sydney McKinley. She told the judge she had changed her name legally.
Chandler police told ABC15 they are aware that McLaughlin has gone by other names, including April Addison: the name listed on several police reports from 2019 when police responded to calls about alleged animal abuse.
Those calls had various outcomes. In one report, an officer notes they did go inside the home. At that time, he said he saw six dogs who appeared healthy.
But another report from just three months ago said McLaughlin's mom went to a library. There, she allegedly told staff that her daughter was “mistreating” her. An officer stopped by their home, but McLaughlin’s mom apparently changed her story and told the officer she had dementia.
Ultimately an officer noted from outside the home, that she appeared "healthy".
“This is horrific and why did it take so long for law enforcement to act?” said attorney John Schill.
Schill is representing four rescues who have been trying to reach out to Chandler Police.
The department put out a call Thursday for tips and records. Police also told ABC15 they are looking into other possible allegations against McLaughlin, including fraud.
“I want Chandler to reach out, so we can give them the information we have,” said Schill.
ABC15 did relay that message to Chandler police, who said they have received “quite a few emails” but couldn’t give a number. Police asked the rescues to write to the department on their own behalf. Schill said they would continue to reach out.
ABC15 did try to reach out to McLaughlin by phone and email but has not heard back.
The Arizona Humane Society sent ABC15 the following statement Saturday:
"We thank everyone for their continued concern about the animals who were seized on September 22. The Arizona Humane Society is continuing to care for the dogs seized. The AHS team, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care, behavior and enrichment specialists, are providing medical and other care around the clock. Both our trauma hospital veterinarians and AHS Animal Cruelty Investigators are providing medical records and evidence to the Chandler Police Department. This is a critical element in helping us reach our ultimate goal of being awarded custody and returning dogs to rescue groups and individuals who shed light on the situation, contacted authorities, offered support, and care for these dogs very deeply.
We continue to follow direction from Chandler PD to not release additional details about the dogs in our care. AHS is not law enforcement. We operate within the law and must adhere to the 10-day mandatory hold of these animals while allowing the legal process to unfold.
Like our animal welfare partner organizations, animal rescues and all those who use our voice for animals, we are frustrated by the lack of oversight and laws that aren’t strong enough to protect animals from neglect and abuse in Arizona. Our objectives are to care for and heal these dogs, to work within the law to seek justice for them, and to push for the change needed to protect more animals from abuse and neglect. We are grateful for our donors, supporters and advocates who make this possible.
For questions relating to charges being dropped or MCAO sending the case back to Chandler PD, it is important to note that AHS is not law enforcement or a court of law. Those questions are best suited for Chandler PD. As an independent non-profit organization, our role is to work in partnership with PD to provide investigative resources and medical care to pets who enter the legal system. As far as the pets seized, we continue to hold the dogs under a legal court order as pursuant to ARS 13-4281. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/04281.htm#:~:text=A%20peace%20officer%2C%20county%20enforcement,animal%2C%20if%20known%20or%20ascertainable [azleg.gov]. This is the state seizure/forfeiture law."
