A 32-year-old Phoenix woman is behind bars after officers say they found five starving dogs left behind in an apartment that had been sitting vacated for about a week following an eviction. Police say Taishe Renee Le'Von Clark was arrested and booked into a Maricopa County jail after one of the dogs died at an emergency veterinary hospital and two others were listed in serious condition. Detectives are recommending felony animal cruelty charges, and Clark is being held on $5,000 bond with a court date set for June 24.
What officers say they walked into
Responding officers reported finding the five dogs crammed into two plastic crates outside the apartment. The crates were described as coated in days-old feces and urine, and police said the animals were so thin their ribs were clearly visible. "One dog inside a three-dog crate was lying on its side, barely moving, and struggling to breathe," officers wrote in their report. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the dogs were rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital, where one was pronounced dead on arrival.
Eviction drama and clashing stories
Leasing office staff told police they tried calling Clark three times after the eviction, urging her to retrieve the dogs that had been left behind. Staff said that when she later returned to clear out the apartment, they had to explicitly instruct her to remove the remaining animals. Court records cited in news reports say Clark brushed off concerns about one of the dogs, telling staff it was "just dehydrated" and to "mind your own business." She later told officers she had tried to contact local shelters and a veterinarian but said those efforts went nowhere, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
Charges, bond and what comes next
Phoenix police say they are recommending felony animal cruelty charges in the case. The investigation remains with the department, and local prosecutors will determine whether to file formal charges before Clark's upcoming hearing. Records show Clark was booked on June 17 and is being held on $5,000 bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for June 24. Members of the public can look up current booking and case information through the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office inmate search.
How Phoenix handles animal cruelty cases
The Phoenix Police Department's Animal Crimes Detail is tasked with investigating animal neglect, abandonment and failure to provide medical care. The unit frequently partners with the Arizona Humane Society and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control to respond to welfare concerns and remove animals when needed. Under city code, abandoning an animal or failing to provide necessary care is defined as animal cruelty, and officers can seize animals they believe are at risk of ongoing or severe suffering. More information about the Animal Crimes Detail is available on the City of Phoenix website.
How to report suspected cruelty
Anyone who sees an animal in immediate danger should call 911. For situations that are not emergencies, the Arizona Humane Society operates a field dispatch line and an online form to report suspected cruelty. The AHS field dispatch number is 602-997-7585 ext. 2073, and additional reporting details are available through the Arizona Humane Society.
