Woman Charged With Maintaining Dog Nuisance

Debra Barkley, a 68-year-old Rancho Santa Fe resident, faces misdemeanor charges for allowing her dogs to roam unsupervised and be aggressive in her neighborhood, with potential penalties including jail time and fines. Neighbors and animal activists have lodged numerous complaints about her dogs and alleged animal neglect on her properties, prompting criminal charges aimed at ensuring enhanced supervision of her animals. In a separate, unrelated case, Brook Scalero from Mesa has been arrested for animal cruelty after police discovered a journal that detailed the torture and killing of several dogs. Scalero admitted to the acts documented in her journal, which involved at least three dogs, leading to her arrest and multiple charges, including theft and animal cruelty. The Mesa Police Department's investigation revealed that Scalero had taken a dog from a shelter without payment and was responsible for the deaths of other animals under her care. These cases highlight ongoing issues of animal neglect and abuse, prompting legal actions to protect community safety and animal welfare.