Sheriff Joe Arpaio is reporting that detectives in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Animal Crimes Unit have seized a total of 13 dogs from a Buckeye, Arizona woman for neglect and mistreatment of the animals.
Detectives responded to 225 6th Avenue East in Buckeye yesterday and found two of the dogs outside of the home in poor condition. Those dogs were immediately seized, but the homeowner, Marva Jean Sturgeon, 65, refused entry into the house for a welfare check on her remaining mix-breed dogs.
Detectives returned today with a warrant and discovered conditions within the home to be unsuitable for the dogs inside. This resulted in the seizure of all the dogs in the domicile. Detectives reported that the 11 dogs seized today were essentially living in their own feces.
The dogs are being examined by veterinarians to determine the extent of their physical ailments.
“Animals deserve to be cared for in a way that preserves their overall health,”> said Sheriff Joe Arpaio. “If they are neglected in a way that causes harm, my detectives will be showing up to make sure the neglect stops.”
It has yet to be determined if Sturgeon will face charges in this matter.