MESA, Ariz. — A distressing case of alleged animal cruelty in Mesa has ignited public outcry and prompted demands for more decisive legal action. Seven local women recently gathered at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, urging the prosecutor to reconsider a decision not to press felony charges against Brook Scalero, 42, who is accused of fatally mistreating several dogs.
Despite Mesa police finding a journal where Scalero reportedly detailed the abuse of three dogs and discovering the animals’ carcasses, prosecutors have declined to pursue felony charges, citing “insufficient evidence” to secure a conviction. This stance has sparked frustration among animal rights activists and the community, propelling a debate over the adequacy of animal protection laws.
Arrested on Nov. 18, Scalero is linked by police investigations to the deaths of at least three dogs. According to police reports, the initial suspicion arose when Scalero’s roommate discovered a troubling journal left behind by Scalero, describing severe maltreatment of the roommate’s dog, Gus, among others. Entries in the journal graphically recount the torture and death of two other dogs named Pepe and Griffin, detailing actions like choking and prolonged confinement in a hot vehicle.
The content of the journal is harrowing. Scalero allegedly wrote of starving, dehydrating, and physically abusing the animals, with methods as extreme as tying the dog to a steering column for hours without basic necessities or movement. Despite Scalero’s assertion to police that the writings were mere “creative expressions,” the detailed nature of the entries and the corresponding physical evidence led many to dismiss this claim.
Community reactions have been intense. Samantha DiGiandomenico, an animal foster caretaker, expressed her dismay, emphasizing the gravity of the acts described and noted in the journal as fundamentally opposed to creative writing. Similarly, Pepe’s trainer, Ally Zacovic of Paws Fur a Purpose, expressed her shock and disappointment upon learning that the prosecutor’s office had decided against advancing felony charges against Scalero.
The letter from Deputy County Attorney Thomas Rinehart stated that the decision was influenced by the perceived unlikelihood of securing a felony conviction, suggesting misdemeanor charges might yield more substantial results. This rationale has not quelled public discontent, with Zacovic openly challenging the adequacy of the evidence and questioning the implications of such prosecutorial decisions on community safety and accountability.
As the prosecutor’s final decision looms on January 24, community members and animal lovers continue to press for a reconsideration of the case, advocating for a trial that they believe the evidence sufficiently supports. The incident not only raises questions about the handling of this particular case but also broader issues concerning animal rights and the effectiveness of the legal system in protecting these vulnerable members of the community.