Target: Rachel Mitchell, County Attorney of Maricopa County, Arizona
Goal: File felony animal-cruelty charges and pursue the toughest allowable penalties against those allegedly responsible for confining dozens of pets in squalor.
Shocking images from a recent eviction revealed dogs and a cat reportedly trapped inside rusted cages set on excrement-soaked floors, surrounded by reeking piles of garbage. According to responding deputies and animal-control officers, the stench of ammonia was so overpowering that rescuers had to wear hazmat suits and respirators before they could even enter the residence.
Investigators described emaciated dogs behind backyard gates and dead or dying animals discovered among trash mounds. Empty feed bags littered the property, while an unopened bag of food sat unused in a vehicle, as reported by officers. The surviving animals are now receiving care at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office MASH Unit, but their suffering and the apparent presence of deceased pets suggest prolonged, extreme neglect.
Despite these disturbing findings, no arrests or charges have been announced. Arizona recently strengthened its cruelty laws through “Jerry’s Law,” enabling faster seizures and clearer standards for humane housing. Yet without swift prosecution and meaningful sentencing, the alleged perpetrators could escape real accountability, and a critical deterrent message would be lost. Sign below to demand immediate legal action to honor the pain these animals seemingly endured and to prevent future neglect.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear County Attorney Mitchell,
Deputies responding to an eviction in Litchfield Park reportedly discovered dozens of dogs and a cat living amid towering heaps of trash, toxic levels of ammonia, and cages so small the animals could scarcely move. Officers state that some animals were already dead, while others were emaciated and standing in their own waste. Protective gear was required simply to enter the scene, underscoring the severity of the conditions.
Arizona’s updated cruelty statutes, including Jerry’s Law, were enacted precisely to address such egregious neglect swiftly and decisively. Allowing this case to linger without felony charges risks undermining public faith in those protections and leaves vulnerable animals at continued risk. The facts as reported indicate prolonged deprivation of food, sanitation, and medical care—acts that merit the strongest legal response available.
We respectfully urge your office to file aggravated animal-cruelty charges against every individual found responsible and to press for maximum incarceration, fines, and a lifetime ban on owning animals. Doing so will affirm Maricopa County’s commitment to safeguarding its animals and will send a clear warning that severe neglect and abuse will not be tolerated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: chispita_666
