'House of Horrors' update: April McLaughlin files appeal after judge denies request for seized dogs' return

CHANDLER, Ariz. - Officials with the City of Chandler announced on Oct. 25 that April McLaughlin, a woman who is under investigation for animal and elder abuse, has filed an appeal to review a judge's denial of her initial request for the return of dogs that were seized from her.

The appeal, according to officials with the City of Chandler, was filed with the Maricopa County Superior Court.

"Maricopa County will review the issues of fact and law arising from the animal seizure hearing. The appeal will not result in a retrial of the facts and the petitioner will not be allowed to present new evidence or testimony in the appeal," read a portion of the statement.

In a copy of the Notice of Appeal provided by Chandler city officials, the defendant is listed as "Sydney McKinley."

Arizona Humane Society releases statement on appeal

As news spread that McLaughlin has filed an appeal, officials with the Arizona Humane Society have issued a statement on the latest development in the case.

The statement reads:

"The Arizona Humane Society (AHS) is deeply saddened to learn that April McLaughlin has requested an appeal hearing regarding the October 11 decision that terminated her rights to owning 13 dogs seized from her residence on September 22. The judge overseeing McLaughlin’s seizure hearing on October 11 instructed AHS to hold the 13 dogs so that the petitioner could exercise her appellate rights. AHS will continue to hold these pets until instructed by the City of Chandler on next steps.

For over a month, AHS has been caring for the dogs seized from McLaughin’s residence. The dogs have required medical attention for wounds, special assistance for mobility issues, and extra love and care as they recover from deplorable living conditions. The AHS team already reunited 40 dogs with former owners and/or rescue groups. The reunions are emotional for everyone involved, including our staff. AHS wants nothing more than to reunite the remaining dogs with former owners and rescue groups so they can continue their healing journeys and have their second chance at a fresh start.

While we continue to wait for the legal process to unfold, it is the dogs that are truly the victims in this case. They deserve better and it is a shame they continue to be wrapped up in the legal system as we all wait for an outcome. AHS remains steadfast in our commitment to caring for them until each is reunited. We urge our communities to use their voice for the voiceless and advocate for stronger state laws and local ordinances to protect more animals from neglect and abuse. Until every pet in the Valley is in a safe home, our work will continue."

McLaughlin begged for dogs' return during initial court hearing

The initial court hearing on McLaughlin's request to have the dogs returned took place on Oct. 11.

McLaughlin initially requested 47 dogs back into her custody. However, McLaughlin, who went by the name of "Sydney Sierra Taylor McKinley" during a hearing, changed her initial request during the court hearing, and asked to have 13 dogs returned to her instead, telling the presiding judge that she went over the list of dogs with Chandler Police a week ago, and identified 13 dogs that she considered as ‘personal family dogs.’

"They’re the reason that I continue on, is for the dogs and safety," said McLaughlin. "I mean, they’re family members, but they also provide a lot of safety and security for myself and my home, so I am requesting only these dogs."

The judge who presided over the hearing, however, denied McLaughlin's petition.

"The dogs that you had, all of them were subjected to cruel neglect, so I am going to grant the seizing agencies request that these dogs not to be returned to you," said the presiding judge. "You have forfeited your right to have these dogs."

In a statement from the City of Chandler, officials said the 34 dogs that were no longer subject to a petition and appeal process be issued an abandonment order on Oct. 12, which will allow the Arizona Humane Society to "move ahead with their process to place the dogs."

As for the judge's decision, Chandler officials say McLaughlin has 14 days to appeal.

Witnesses testified during hearing

A number of witnesses took during the hearing, including an official with the Arizona Humane Society, who detailed the horrific conditions the dogs were living in.

"There was a lot of filth in those rooms," said the official with AHS. "Because of the carpet and a large amount of debris, it was very difficult for the animals to move around that were loose. By filth, I mean mud, feces, urine debris."

Another person who took the stand was the lead investigator for the case, who recounted her first moments in the home.

"My eyes immediately began to water," the investigator said. "The back of my throat started to burn. It was very difficult to breathe due to the ammonia levels."

Dogs seized in case that shocked the Valley

The legal troubles involving McLaughlin began when authorities seized 55 dogs from her home and found five dogs dead.

In the days since the dogs' seizures, officials with the Arizona Humane Society said five of the 55 dogs were euthanized. The animals, which were found at her home near Cooper and Pecos Roads, were trapped in kennels or loose in filthy rooms, living in their own waste.

A report submitted to the city a day after the animal seizures described the home as a "biohazard." According to the document, windows were closed, and mobility, along with visibility, was impeded by excessive clutter, wet and dry feces, urine, and dog food everywhere.

At one point, the Arizona Humane Society says that McLaughlin had up to 63 dogs in her home. 

McLaughlin, 48, has been out of jail for weeks. She did not speak publically about this case prior to the hearing, but she did speak during the court hearing.

"Is it possible that when you have dogs that are sick, or that are special needs, or they have an infection of some kind, that they may be walking through the house and not make it outside, and may have an accident inside?" McLaughlin was asked.

"Yes. That's possible," McLaughlin replied.

"So, it's possible that when you walked in, a dog had just defecated or had diarrhea or throw up because they were sick, or they couldn't make it outside?" McLaughlin was asked.

"Not with the volume of the feces and urine I observed," said McLaughlin.

Among the witnesses was the lead investigator of the case, Sgt. Nicole Vasey with Chandler Police. Sgt. Vasey told the court that McLaughlin admitted she was in way over her head, thinking she had 25 to 30 dogs in the house.

It should be noted that as of now, there are no pending charges against McLaughlin, as officials with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office have sent the case back to Chandler Police for further investigation.

Rebecca Arizmendi, a Texas animal rescuer who gave two dogs to the Chandler woman's rescue, said prior to the judge's ruling that she wants a ruling against McLaughlin.

"I don’t know what she could possibly say to argue the evidence that has been found," Arizmendi said. "The only thing that I could imagine that she could say is that perhaps she feels or believes that she somehow was providing the care that these dogs needed, but I think it’s pretty evident that based on the environmental report and what president CEO Steven Hansen said from the Arizona Humane Society that that was not the case."

After the ruling, some breathed a sigh of relief of sorts.

"It's a huge win, and I hope that everybody in Arizona fights for these dogs to have more rights," said Jill Marsh.

"April is a lifelong criminal, and has decades of conning people and committing fraud, and it’s about time that she gets stopped," said Rebecca Cotton.

Full interview with McLaughlin's mother

The last time Kathleen McLaughlin spoke with her daughter April was on the morning of Sept. 22, hours prior to her arrest.

Kathleen, 79, moved to Arizona from Texas after her husband's passing and trusted April to care for her. She said she was relieved to be out of the home.

Kathleen reportedly lived at the home for three years, seemingly hidden. According to her, April couldn’t stop bringing in dogs.

"Well apparently, she began to get an awful lot of more dogs," Kathleen said. "The two bedrooms were full of dogs, so we weren’t able to sleep there. She had some in the backyard, and she bought tents for shade, and it became obvious that the terrific heat wave wasn’t conducive to their comfort, so she’d have to bring them into the garage."