By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

A Litchfield Park woman was arrested following a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office investigation into an alleged animal cruelty case at a Litchfield Park property.

Julie Dimick faces 11 counts of animal abandonment, 11 counts of failure to provide medical treatment, and one count of aggravated assault stemming from a separate incident in May, according to MCSO.

The charges are linked to a July 14 response by the agency’s Animal Crimes Unit to a mobile home near 136th Avenue and Maryland Avenue, where deputies allege they found several dogs and a cat living in poor conditions.

The animals were removed and placed in the care of MCSO’s Animal Safe Haven, known as the MASH Unit.

In a July 30 update, the sheriff’s office announced Dimick’s arrest and released a video showing her being processed at the jail. The footage includes scenes of Dimick arriving in handcuffs, having her booking photo taken, and waiting in a common area.

Dimick remains in custody pending legal proceedings.

The case is one of several recent investigations handled by the sheriff’s office as reports of animal cruelty rise across Maricopa County. The MASH Unit, which operates under MCSO, houses animals seized in criminal investigations and provides rehabilitation and medical care while cases are pending. 

Detective Heather Krimm, who supports investigations involving alleged animal cruelty, said in an educational video the department sees a range of offenses in Maricopa County, including abandonment, neglect, physical abuse, cockfighting and other serious crimes.

“Mistreatment can include physical harm or injury, while neglect involves failing to provide food, water, or shelter,” Krimm said. “Abandonment is when someone moves and leaves the animal behind.”

Krimm urged residents to report suspected cruelty, adding that doing so can not only aid animals but may also uncover other types of abuse.

“If you see something, say something,” Keimm said. “Witnesses are often the first to observe abuse, and their reports can be crucial to starting an investigation.”

MCSO said the number of animals entering the MASH Unit has grown, and it is seeking help from the public through donations of supplies or funds. Wish lists for dogs, cats, and livestock are available online, and monetary donations can be made at mcso.org/community/mash-story.

Animals in the program may be available for adoption once cleared. Adoptable pets are listed at Petfinder.

Visit mcso.org for more information.