On November 4, 2024, a journal was turned into the Mesa Police Department that allegedly belonged to a 42-year-old woman identified as Brook Scalero. The journal described in torturous detail the continued abuse and ultimate deaths of multiple dogs under Scalero’s care.
On June 7, 2024 “Paws Fur the Cause” reported that on May 19, 2024, Scalero agreed to pay $500 for a 3-year-old Maltese mix dog named “Pepe”. The organization allowed Scalero to leave with the dog under the pretense that she would pay for him that night, but she never followed through.
On October 5, 2024, officers responded to the VCA Animal Hospital for reports of a dead dog who matched the description of Pepe. The microchip confirmed the dog was not Pepe and was in fact “Griffin”, who was registered to Scalero. Griffin had injuries consistent with animal abuse.
Between November 2023- October 2024 Scalero lived with a roommate, who had a dog named “Gus”, who died under her watch. When Scalero left the residence, her roommate found her journal amongst other personal items. The journal documented the death of Gus.
Brook Scalero was arrested on November 14, 2024, for unrelated crimes and interviewed. She acknowledged ownership of the journal, but claimed the stories were just creative writings. Scalero also admitted to taking Pepe without paying for him.
On November 15, 2024, a person reported finding a dead dog behind a bush in the 700 block of west 8th Ave. The microchip confirmed the dog was Pepe.
Scalero was interviewed again on November 18, 2024, and admitted to her involvement in the torture and deaths of Pepe, Griffin, and Gus. She was booked into jail for the following charges:
ARS 13-2910A14 (2 counts): Cruelty to Animals, a class 5
felony
ARS 13-2910A8: Cruelty to Animals- DV, a class 6 felony
ARS 13-1802A3: Theft, a class 1 misdemeanor
