In September of 2023, on the inside of a 900 square foot home in Chandler, Arizona over 60 special needs dogs were found neglected, tortured and some, deceased. The raid by authorities also led to the discovery of an elderly woman living inside amongst barking animals, filth, defecation and death. It took months, years actually, to prove to police and animal control that something was horrifically wrong and that something needed to be done. In that time, more animals were acquired and more animals died. Finally, thanks to the unwavering voices of a team of relentless animal lovers, the dogs now known as the the Chandler55 were rescued and the woman behind this House of Horrors has been indicted by a grand jury on 24 counts of animal cruelty, 77 misdemeanor charges and failure to provide medical treatment to an animal. As this podcast airs, she is behind bars.

This week on A Pawdcast we continue diving deep. Along with innumerable others, our guests tell the stories of how this con artist cons. Shira Scott Astrof shares the rescue stories of her beloved pups Chester, Rudy and Bailey and how April McLaughlin, who went by the alias “Sammy Taylor” among many others, misrepresented her way in and “adopted” the boys. Shira lets us in on what her experience with McLaughlin was like, and how much effort and how many lies were told to her on an ongoing basis in order to keep the mind blowing deceit going.

We talk about that first phone call from Kimberly Elliot to Shira, delivering the information of the evil that was believed to be happening. What began with shock and disbelief soon turned into Shira getting on a plane to go get her dogs back. And there’s so much more.

Last week, this week, and for the next few weeks, we sit down with a few of the of rescuers who were instrumental in exposing this case. In Part 1 we laid the foundation, which for some of us began in 2019. We talk about the struggles in getting law enforcement to listen and do their job, We discuss dealing with a con artist, and what it feels like to realize you have been conned - in the absolute most horrifying way. Later we will get into what tipped off Becca of Yaqui Animal Rescue, and how she did not stop investigating until she got answers. Answers that eventually led to getting the dogs back.

Let’s go Part 2. Please join us as we welcome Kimberly Elliott and Jenny Amuchastegui of The Be Like Josh Foundation, Rebecca Chavez from Yaqui Animal Rescue, Shira Scott Astrof from The Animal Rescue Mission and Koco Garcia of HandOverRover. #Chandler55

Warning: this episode includes content associated with the feelings around the emotional impact of fraud and scams which could be triggering to some.