CHANDLER, Ariz. — A court has denied an appeal filed by the Valley woman attempting to get back several dogs seized during a police investigation last year.
Over 50 dogs were seized from Sydney McKinley's home last September after officers found the animals living in troubling conditions. Five of the seized dogs later had to be euthanized because of poor health.
Investigators also reported finding some dead dogs inside the kitchen freezer of the Chandler home.
McKinley, also known as April McLaughlin, filed a petition in court attempting to get back 13 of the dogs. A Chandler city judge denied McKinley's request, finding that the animals had been living in "unacceptable" conditions.
McKinley filed a motion to appeal the judge's ruling, which was dismissed this week.
According to the city, the appeal was denied after McKinley allegedly failed to file court paperwork by the Jan. 2 deadline.
City officials said the Arizona Humane Society can now proceed with its process to place the dogs that were seized during the investigation.
The humane society said they will start contacting former owners and rescue groups to schedule reunion appointments with the dogs.
"It is important to note that as AHS awaited a decision from the courts, many of the 13 dogs were placed with long-time AHS fosters so they could continue their healing journeys in a safe and loving home environment. Because of this and due to the fact that many of the former rescue groups are out of state, we expect reunites to begin early next week," the humane society wrote in a statement.
Police officials re-arrested McKinley last November for several misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty.
McKinley had run a special-needs animal rescue called the Special Needs Animal Welfare League out of her home. Court records show most of the dogs seized from the home "were in need of immediate medical attention due to the various injuries to their limbs, paws, tails, eyes, mouth, hind quarters and genitals."
*Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast*
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