Five emaciated dogs found crammed into two filthy crates outside a Phoenix apartment have landed a 34-year-old man behind bars on multiple animal-cruelty counts, according to court records. Police say the dogs were discovered near 40th Street and McDowell Road, and that one later died at a veterinary hospital while two others were left with serious injuries.
Officers were handling another call in the area when someone waved them down and pointed them to the crates, court paperwork states. Three dogs were stacked in one carrier and two in another, with one animal barely moving. Records describe the dogs’ ribs as clearly visible and note that both the animals and their enclosures were coated in days-old, crusted feces. Investigators say the dogs had been left without food or water for about a week.
Court documents also indicate the suspect has a prior history of violence listed in his record. The man, identified as 34-year-old Andre Magee, was booked on three animal-cruelty charges, according to Arizona's Family.
What state law says
Arizona law treats neglect and abandonment as forms of animal cruelty and raises the stakes when that neglect turns deadly. Under A.R.S. § 13-2910, prosecutors can file misdemeanor charges for reckless neglect and pursue felony charges if an animal suffers serious physical injury or death. The state Legislature outlines that framework in its statutes, and those rules are expected to shape how the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office evaluates the felony allegation in this case. Penalties and classifications depend on the severity of the harm.
Condition of the animals and evidence
According to the court paperwork, one of the five dogs died after being taken to a veterinary hospital, while two others required intensive treatment. Investigators again noted that both the crates and the animals were coated in days-old feces, underscoring how long the dogs had apparently been left in that state.
Magee initially told officers the dogs belonged to him and his girlfriend, then later said he had gone to the apartment to collect his belongings, the records state. Court documents say he acknowledged knowing the condition the animals were in. Those details are drawn from police and court records, as reported by Arizona's Family.
Not an isolated problem in the Valley
Local animal-welfare advocates and law enforcement say this case is part of a troubling pattern in the Phoenix area, where several recent neglect and hoarding investigations have exposed similar scenes. In a separate incident earlier this year, officers seized multiple malnourished dogs from an abandoned property, and one dog was euthanized after treatment, according to reporting by ABC15. Advocates say consistent reporting and coordinated prosecutions are key to stopping repeat offenders and preventing more animals from suffering.
How the public can help
Authorities urge anyone who suspects animal neglect or cruelty to contact local police or specialized animal-cruelty units and, when it is safe, document what they see with photos or video. Legal and animal-welfare organizations maintain state-specific guides on how to report concerns. The Animal Legal & Historical Center’s reporting table, for example, compiles contacts and procedures tailored to each jurisdiction so residents know where to turn when something looks wrong.
