Adult protective services requested that welfare check after her mother, Kathleen, raised the alarm about her own treatment while at a library.
Police and the public were unaware of how dire this situation would eventually become. A judge has issued a ruling in regards to a petition made by April McLaughlin to get some of her seized dogs back.
McLaughlin, who operated an animal rescue operation, was at the center of various animal abuse incidents that shocked people in the Valley. You live here right? The visit was requested by APS after Kathleen told employees at a local library that her daughter was mistreating her.
April told the officer that her mother has dementia and that she recently suffered a stroke, giving her the power of attorney. April: "Everything. I have full say in everything. Officer: "Do you have any of that paperwork with you? FOX 10 obtained police body camera video from a welfare check conducted back in June at the home of April McLaughlin β the woman accused by police of animal and elder abuse.
FOX 10's Stephanie Bennett breaks down the interaction seen in the video. When April goes to get her, you can hear multiple dogs barking inside. Moments later, April returns with her mother. The officer interviews Kathleen while April is standing just a few feet away. Officer: "You have anything that you are concerned about living here? Kathleen: "Well, no. We are looking at different places for you to live. As the woman accused of abusing dozens of animals went to court to ask for some of the seized pets back, animal rights advocates staged a protest against the women outside of the courtroom.
