Judges denies custody of 13 'family' dogs to Chandler woman accused of animal abuse, neglect
A Chandler woman who had more than 50 dogs seized from her home was in court Wednesday, seeking to regain custody of some.
April McLaughlin said she’s changing her name to Sydney McKinley. It is unclear whether she has legally changed her name.
McKinley also changed her request for the number of dogs she wants back – from 47 to just 13 “family” dogs. The 34 dogs she didn’t request custody of will go back to the Arizona Humane Society.
McKinley had been charged with animal cruelty and neglect.
Judge Michelle Lue Sang said pictures of the dogs and home spoke for themselves.
“The dogs that you had, all of them were subjected to cruel neglect,” the judge said. “So, I am going to grant the seizing agency’s request that these dogs not be returned to you.”
McKinley, who is representing herself, has two weeks to appeal the decision.
