A Chandler woman at the center of an animal cruelty case was sentenced this week to three and a half years in prison and seven years probation.
April McLaughlin ran the Special Needs Animal Welfare League out of her home. The Chandler Police Department seized over 50 animals found in poor conditions there in 2023.
She was later charged with financial crimes and pleaded guilty to those, as well as animal cruelty charges, in December.
As part of her sentence, McLaughlin will pay more than $173,000 in restitution, with a significant portion going to her mother.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office issued a statement saying it asked for additional prison time for McLaughlin. She will get credit for jail time served and upon release is prohibited from possessing any animals.
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"Gaman: Enduring Japanese American Internment at Gila River" exhibit at Chandler Museum on Jan. 14, 2026. -
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On Wednesday night, KJZZ hosted a panel discussion about the history of Japanese American internment camps located on tribal lands in Arizona.
