Chandler Woman Faces Fraud Charges in Dog Hoarding Case
April McLaughlin, a Chandler woman, is at the center of a shocking case involving alleged deception of dog owners and rescue groups across the country to hoard dogs with special needs and collect donations.
Recently, McLaughlin has been indicted on fraud charges in addition to the felony animal and vulnerable adult abuse charges she was already facing. This comes after Chandler police seized over 50 dogs from her residence in September of 2023.
Officers discovered the dogs in appalling conditions, resulting in some of the animals having to be euthanized due to poor health. McLaughlin’s rescue organization, Special Needs Animal Welfare League, was allegedly used to solicit over $47,000 and acquire more animals under false pretenses.
Further investigations reveal that McLaughlin also misappropriated funds from her elderly mother’s bank account, totaling over $160,000. These funds were reportedly used for personal expenses such as housing costs, flights, and dining.
As legal proceedings continue, McLaughlin faces additional felony charges including theft, identity theft, and fraudulent schemes. She was already facing multiple counts of animal neglect and mistreatment, with some offenses categorized as felonies.
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