Gilbert Police investigating animal cruelty case; 18 dogs taken from property

GILBERT, Ariz. - Gilbert Police are investigating an animal cruelty case after dozens of dogs were found in deplorable condition on a property over the weekend.

The incident unfolded near Ray and Lindsay Roads. While all dogs have been moved off the property, there is reportedly still a stench of feces in the area.

The investigation, according to officials, began on September 13, when Gilbert Police officers went to the home for a welfare check. 10 days later, on September 23, police responded to the home for a second time.

Volunteers from Arf-Anage Dog Rescue were on scene to rescue the dogs, until police officials told them the Arizona Humane Society is taking over.

"You can see the backyard. If you look at it, it looks like it's dirt, but it's not dirt," said Gary Gumbert, a volunteer with Arf-Anage Dog Rescue. "That is a tiled patio, and there's probably this much dried feces. Covers the entire patio. It looks like dirt."

Officials with AHS got involved due to the immediate attention and medical care several of the dogs needed. Andrea Andrews with Arf-Anage Dog Rescue said she first noticed signs of animal cruelty when she bought a dog from the woman.

"It had the most horrific smell of feces and urine," said Andrews. "They were stained. They had urine burns on them. They smelled horrific. They were matted with poop balls on their hair. It was very sad."

Seeing the condition of one dog was enough for Andrews to go back repeatedly to rescue as many dogs as she could, hoping to find better living conditions for the dogs.

"Between myself and many other rescues locally, we have saved 400 dogs off the property since February," said Andrews. "I went one time and retrieved 83 puppies in one trip."

On Sept. 24, AHS took 18 dogs from the property, but a number of the dogs are still under the woman's care.

"There should be some law changes," said Humbert. "Police explained it to us that unfortunately, animals are property. I’m sorry. That's not a couch. That's not a car. It's a living thing, and it shouldn't be treated that way."

Gilbert Police officials said the case remains active, and so far, no charges have been filed.

The investigation is taking place at the same time police in Chandler are investigating a separate case involving allegations of animal and adult abuse.

Also Read

• Chandler PD conducted prior welfare checks at home of woman suspected of abusing dogs, elderly mother
• Charges dropped against Arizona animal abuse suspect: Here's what to know

AHS explains reasoning for only taking some dogs from home

Brooke Ponce is one of many people who bought a dog from the home.

"He [Mickey] was covered in feces and urine, he had mites in his ears," she explained. "He was very skinny when I got him. He was so matted, we had to shave him completely down to where he was just skin."

A year later, Mickey is doing a lot better in the hands of an owner who loves him. Ponce's love to help dogs goes beyond MIckey and Dewy, a dog her sister rescued from the same house.

"We posted on social media, 'We just got these dogs, they're Labradoodles, so gentle, so kind, but in terrible conditions. If anyone can adopt, if anyone can help, go get these dogs. We just want to get them safe homes.': said Ponce.

That's when around eight rescue groups got involved. They say they rescued 400 to 600 dogs in nine months.

"They're coming petrified of men, they're coming wanting to run away from us," said Jillian Davis, founder of Az Hidden Jem Rescue. "Something had to have happened that they're badly scared of humans that they'd rather sleep outside than anywhere near us."

Arf-Anage was able to get some dogs off the property earlier this month.

Tina Morrison rushed three dogs to the emergency vet but was told by police one dog had to go back to the home.

"When they took her out of my car to bring her back, she had her brakes on," Morrison said. "She didn't want to go. She had the look of dread on her face, and she was terrified to walk back into that house. She had a tail that was broken in two spots, she had chemical burns all over her. Just because they weren't open wounds yet, and they left her there."

AHS has 18 dogs but left 35 with the owner. They say only the police department can determine how many dogs are seized and says the remaining dogs are healthy.

"That house is not safe for humans or dogs and the next house won't be either," said Morrison.