Animal

Arizona Humane Society Joins Forces with Lawmakers to Tackle Animal Abuse Crisis

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Chandler, Arizona – The Arizona Humane Society is collaborating with lawmakers and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell to strengthen the state’s animal cruelty laws by proposing a new bill. In 2023, the Humane Society responded to 15,000 service calls and initiated nearly 10,000 animal abuse cases, reflecting a 21% increase compared to the previous year. Dr. Steven Hansen, President and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, stated, “Arizona’s pets have long suffered due to the inadequacy of our statewide animal cruelty law. While certain cities have implemented ordinances to offer additional protection, it is time … Read more

Missouri Police Chief Calls for Stronger Animal Abuse Laws After Shocking Video of Dog Trainer’s Mistreatment

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PLEASANT HILL, Mo. – The police chief of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is advocating for stricter animal abuse laws in the state following the circulation of a viral video depicting a dog trainer mistreating a German shepherd. Matt Fiala, the trainer shown in the video, now faces three municipal charges, with neighbors urging authorities to pursue further state charges. In the two-minute video, Fiala can be seen locking the dog in a crate before repeatedly throwing a green bucket, assumed to contain water, at the confined animal. At one point, he overturns the crate and kicks … Read more

Federal Appeals Court Lifts Injunctions on Iowa’s Animal Welfare Laws, Granting Victory to Farmers

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Des Moines, Iowa – In a recent decision, a federal appeals court lifted two injunctions that had prevented the enforcement of Iowa laws designed to prevent undercover filming of animal confinements. These laws criminalize gaining entry to agricultural production facilities through deception and recording with a camera while trespassing. The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that these laws do not violate the free speech rights of groups that challenged them. The laws have been a subject of contention between animal welfare organizations and agricultural production facilities. Those in favor of the laws argue … Read more

Judge Denies Woman’s Appeal for Ownership Rights to Dogs in ‘House of Horrors’ Animal Abuse Investigation

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CHANDLER, Ariz. – A judge has denied the appeal of a woman involved in an animal abuse investigation in Chandler, Arizona to regain ownership of the dogs at the center of the case. The woman, identified as April McLaughlin, also known as “Sydney McKinley,” was previously accused of 95 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. In October, a judge terminated her rights to the dogs, a decision that she later appealed. However, her appeal has now been dismissed. The case, often referred to as the ‘House of Horrors,’ gained attention in September 2023 when authorities removed … Read more