A suspected individual known for hoarding dogs has been arrested once more, facing 77 charges of animal abuse after authorities discovered 55 malnourished dogs in her residence, alongside the grim discovery of five deceased puppies.
April McLaughlin, who also goes by the names Sydney Taylor McKinley or April Addison, was apprehended on new charges following an extensive investigation by law enforcement. Her initial arrest in September involved the seizure of 55 dogs from her home.
Law enforcement reported that a significant number of these dogs had to be euthanized due to their severe health conditions.
The distressing find included five deceased puppies found within the freezer of the 48-year-old. The charges against her encompass allegations of animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment, with a potential of nine felony charges for cruelty to animals.
In 2018, McLaughlin gained online recognition after adopting a husky named Clyde and sharing their story on Instagram. Subsequently, she reached out to dog rescues, offering to take in dogs with disabilities. However, it’s alleged that she created multiple social media accounts to mask the actual number of dogs she was acquiring, far exceeding what was portrayed online.
Reports indicate that at one point, she had over 70 dogs, many of which needed specialized care for their disabilities—a responsibility authorities claim McLaughlin failed to fulfill.
Instead of providing proper care for the dogs, it is alleged that she misappropriated donated funds intended for the dogs for her personal use, leaving the animals in a state of neglect and abuse.