A judge has denied a Chandler woman’s appeal of her rights to more than a dozen dogs she said were family pets being terminated.
Sydney McKinley, also known as April McLaughlin, disputed the seizure of 13 out of more than 50 dogs removed from her home last year.
Police said the woman had been keeping the animals in deplorable conditions. In October, the court ruled that the dogs had experienced cruel mistreatment, cruel neglect or abandonment that violated the law.
Following the decision, the Arizona Humane Society can begin placing the dogs with former owners, trusted rescue partners, or adopt them out.
McKinley originally faced over 100 criminal charges, but those have since been dropped. Police say they will resubmit charges once an investigation is complete.
