Maricopa County deputies arrest Buckeye-area woman after investigation into neglect of about 22 dogs

Arrest follows weeks of reported concerns at rural West Valley property

Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a woman accused of animal cruelty after a months-long investigation centered on a property west of Buckeye. Authorities said the case involved repeated failures to provide basic care and sanitary living conditions for dogs kept at the location.

The suspect, Gina Steffees, was booked into jail on animal cruelty charges on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Investigators described the arrest as the outcome of an extended inquiry into the conditions in which the animals were housed.

What investigators say led to the seizure

Deputies said the investigation intensified after neighbors contacted authorities with concerns about neglected dogs. The property is near the intersection of Old U.S. 80 and Salome Highway, in a sparsely populated area of the far West Valley where homes and motorhomes can sit on large lots and oversight may depend heavily on complaints from nearby residents.

• On Feb. 18, deputies searched the property after a report that nine dogs lacked adequate food and water.
• On Feb. 24, authorities seized three adult dogs and 10 puppies from inside a motorhome on the property.
• By the time of the arrest announcement, authorities said about 22 dogs had been rescued from the property overall.

Conditions described in law enforcement footage

Authorities released video depicting dogs kept amid extensive debris and unsanitary conditions. The footage shows animals surrounded by garbage, dirty clothing, feces, and old food. Investigators also described a crate holding a dog and puppies placed near containers with discolored liquid and a bucket containing feces.

Authorities said the investigation documented repeated failures to provide adequate care, shelter, and sanitary living conditions for animals in the suspect’s care.

Medical care and next steps for the animals

Investigators said the rescued dogs received medical treatment. After treatment is completed, authorities said the animals will be transferred to the sheriff’s office program focused on rehabilitating abused and neglected animals.

The case now moves into the court process, where prosecutors will need to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. In animal cruelty prosecutions, documentation of living conditions, veterinary assessments, and the timeline of care are typically central to establishing whether neglect rose to a criminal level. Authorities have not released additional details about court dates or potential defenses, and the investigation could continue as evidence is reviewed and charges proceed.