ADLA News
Update: Wildlife Services Trapping Case Set for Trial
The case against Wildlife Services employee Russell Files has been set for trial on
July 24, 2013, at the Maricopa County Superior Court. Files has been charged with felony animal cruelty that was designated as a violent crime for allegedly baiting and trapping his neighbor’s dog Zoey, who was severely injured.
On May 13, attorneys for Files argued that the case should be sent back to the grand jury for redetermination of probable cause. They argued that the trap did not inflict injuries, and that the dog inflicted her own injuries in her attempt to escape. The judge denied the motion, and the case will proceed to trial.
Background: In December 2012, Phoenix-based Wildlife Services employee Russell Files trapped his neighbor’s 2-year-old dog Zoey in his unfenced front yard. Police found Zoey covered in blood with her legs entangled in the trap, which had been set near a decomposing animal skull. Click here to read the entire police report (warning: graphic images)
Wildlife Services is a taxpayer-funded government agency that kills millions of animals each year, including non-target animals and family pets. Read the in-depth investigation into the agency by Tom Knudson of the Sacramento Bee here.
Multi-Million Dollar Fix. Adopt. Save. Campaign Launched Today!
The Fix. Adopt. Save. Campaign Launched to Increase Animal Adoptions and Dispel Myths About Spaying and Neutering
If big moments in animal welfare progress were covered in history books, this
project would be included.
An alliance of eight animal welfare agencies, backed by multi-mullion dollar philanthropic support, have joined together to solve Maricopa County’s homeless animal problem by launching the “Fix. Adopt. Save.” campaign – a collaborative effort to encourage responsible pet ownership, and to dramatically increase spay/neuter and pet adoption rates in the Valley. Read more
Update: Wildlife Services Agent Indicted by Grand Jury
Wildlife Services employee Russell Files has been indicted by a grand jury for felony animal cruelty
In December 2012, Phoenix-based Wildlife Services employee Russell Files 
trapped his neighbor’s 2-year-old dog Zoey in his unfenced front yard. Police found Zoey covered in blood with her legs entangled in the trap, which had been set near a decomposing animal skull. Read more
Click here to read the entire police report (warning: graphic images)
Please thank the Maricopa Attorney’s Office for charging Russell Files with felony animal cruelty. You can send a message here.
Wildlife Services is a taxpayer-funded government agency that kills millions of animals each year, including non-target animals and family pets. Read the in-depth investigation into the agency by Tom Knudson of the Sacramento Bee here.
Save the Date: Cat TNR 101 on March 23
Too Many Cats? We Can Fix That!
To learn more about trap neuter return and how to get started, please join us at this event on March 23!
Click here for more information
Help Stop Attack on Citizen Initiative Rights!
Please help stop bills in the Arizona Legislature that are aimed at weakening our public initiative process. These measures, if passed, would have a devastating effect on our citizen initiatives, our most powerful tool for helping animals.
Click here for more information.
Public Sale of Animals Bill Advances in AZ Legislature
The bill to extend the ban on public sale of animals statewide has passed its first hurdle in the Arizona Legislature. SB 1240, sponsored by Sen. Al Melvin, passed the Senate Commerce, Energy, and Military Committee on Feb. 6th. The committee passed the bill by a unanimous vote, and also unanimously rejected a bad amendment that would have created sweeping exemptions to the state animal cruelty statute. The cattlemen's lobby was behind the 
amendment, which was made public just hours before the bill hearing.
Rural animal shelter directors from throughout the state testified in support of the bill and opposed to the amendment, including Yavapai Humane Society Director Ed Boks, Western Arizona Humane Society Director Victoria Cowper, and Humane Society of Yuma Director Shawn Smith.
Pima County Prosecutor Kathleen Mayer and Animal Defense League of Arizona President Stephanie Nichols-Young also urged the committee to support SB 1240 and reject the amendment.
More than one senator on the committee credited the powerful testimony for the committee’s favorable vote on SB 1240. The bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
To watch a video of the bill hearing click here. Move the cursor below the video to 2:50:00, which is when SB 1240 is heard.
For background on the public sale of animals bill click here.
Want to help? Join ADLA's Legislative Group on our website and we will keep you updated.
Spay Neuter Hotline Urges People to Fix Cats Now!
Every spring thousands of homeless kittens come into animal shelters in Maricopa County. Most do not get out alive. Before temperatures rise and cats go into heat, 
the Spay Neuter Hotline is asking people to stop procrastinating, and get companion cats fixed, and also take advantage of ADLA's Trap Neuter Return program to sterilize stray and free-roaming cats in Valley neighborhoods. Few cats are in heat in January, but the number begins to increase in February. By May shelters are inundated with kittens.
We can beat kitten season if everyone in the community pitches in by sterilizing cats in their neighborhood. Whether people love cats or hate them, Trap Neuter Return (TNR) is the best way to reduce the number of cats. Read more
ADLA Calls for Investigation of USDA Agent for Felony Animal Cruelty
The Animal Defense League of Arizona has asked the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for an investigation of its Phoenix employee Russell Files, who has been accused of animal cruelty. Files is an agent of Wildlife Services, a program of the USDA.
Welcome to the Spay Neuter Clinic- Cactus
The Spay Neuter Hotline is happy to welcome its newest clinic providing surgeries for Trap Neuter Return through the Spay Neuter Hotline. Dr. Lisa Levin and her staff at the clinic started in December, even making slots available on New Year's Eve. To schedule an appointment at any particpating clinic call 602 265-7729 or email feralcats@adlaz.org.
The clinic is located in one of the zip codes in which the Hotline is currently offering free surgeries for free roaming cats- 85029. Free surgeries are also available in 85015, 85017, 85019, 85020, 85021, 85051, 85301 and 85302.
ADLA's 25th Anniversary Celebration
Join Animal Defense League of Arizona on December 8th to Celebrate the 
Holidays and our 25th Anniversary! There will be lots of food, drinks, a silent auction, and perhaps a chance to meet ADLA's Spokescat, Mrs. Beasley!
ADLA maintains an extensive database of low-cost spay/neuter clinics around Arizona. 
