Chandler cracks down on animal cruelty as it adopts new ordinance after 'House of Horrors' case

CHANDLER, ARIZONA: Several months following the incident at the so-called 'House of Horrors' in Chandler, the city's East Valley leaders have unanimously passed a new law.

This ordinance empowers the local police force with additional authority to address animal abuse cases.

The Chandler City Council approved Ordinance No. 4992, introducing animal hoarding as a new offense.

This law also permits peace officers to seize animals involved in cruelty, hoarding, or unlawful restraint cases.

What is Ordinance No. 4992?

Ordinance No. 4992, enacted in Chandler, Arizona, marks a crucial advancement in combating animal hoarding.

This law, which received unanimous approval from the Chandler City Council, establishes animal hoarding as a new crime and authorizes peace officers to confiscate animals implicated in cruelty, hoarding, or unlawful restraint incidents.

The ordinance is a reaction to a notorious animal hoarding case and is designed to deter similar occurrences in the future, per ABC 15.

What else did Ordinance No. 4992 say?

The law also mandates a court hearing to verify the legality of any seizure related to animal cruelty.

"After a hearing, if it is determined that the seizure was lawful, the court may forfeit the animal for cruel neglect, abandonment, failing to provide necessary medical care to prevent suffering, inflicting injury or leaving an animal in a motor vehicle when physical injury or death is likely to result," stated the agenda.

"This change will ensure that animals are not returned to neglectful and/or abusive homes," it further read. 

April McLaughlin animal hoarding and welfare case 

City officials have stated that the proposed changes to the city code received preliminary approval on November 9, 2023.

This initial approval was granted several months after an animal hoarding and welfare case involving April McLaughlin came to light.

McLaughlin, who used several aliases, is reportedly accused of housing numerous dogs in her home under inadequate conditions.

On September 22, Chandler Police executed a search warrant at McLaughlin's residence.

According to court documents, officers discovered 55 dogs in the house that required immediate medical care.

Reports indicate that five of these dogs were subsequently euthanized. Authorities also found the remains of five dogs at the property, per Fox 10 Phoenix.