Ep 6. Deadly Diet

Animal Cops: Phoenix is an American documentary television series that follows the work of the Arizona Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Investigative Unit. In season 1, episode 6, titled "Deadly Diet," the Animal Cruelty Investigative Unit investigates a case involving a severely malnourished dog named Cherry.

As the episode opens, we see Investigator Cynthia McGuire and her team responding to a call from a concerned citizen about a dog that appears to be in distress. When they arrive at the scene, they find Cherry, a 2-year-old pit bull mix, lying motionless in her owner's backyard. Cherry is severely emaciated and appears to be on the brink of death.

McGuire immediately gets to work assessing the situation. Cherry's owner, a woman in her 50s, claims that she has been feeding the dog regularly, but that she has not been eating. However, McGuire quickly discovers that Cherry has been existing on a diet of nothing but rice and water, and that her owner has been neglecting her severely.

McGuire and her team take Cherry to the Arizona Humane Society's Second Chance Animal Hospital to assess her condition. The veterinary team determines that Cherry is severely dehydrated and malnourished, and that she has a number of health issues that have been exacerbated by her poor diet and neglect. They work to stabilize the dog and provide her with the medical care that she needs to survive.

Meanwhile, McGuire continues her investigation into Cherry's neglect. She interviews neighbors and witnesses, and discovers that this is not the first time that the woman has been reported for animal cruelty. In fact, she has a long history of neglecting and mistreating animals, and has been warned and fined by the authorities multiple times in the past.

With this evidence in hand, McGuire and her team move to seize Cherry and other animals from the woman's property. They discover several other dogs and cats living in squalid conditions, with no access to food, water, or proper shelter. They also find evidence of cockfighting and other illegal activities on the property.

Throughout the episode, we see McGuire and her team working tirelessly to rescue Cherry and the other animals from the woman's property, and we also see the incredible efforts of the veterinary team at the Second Chance Animal Hospital to save Cherry's life. The show is a powerful reminder of the importance of animal welfare, and the critical role that animal cruelty investigators and veterinary professionals play in protecting animals from neglect and abuse.

In the end, "Deadly Diet" is a heart-wrenching but ultimately inspiring episode that showcases the dedication and hard work of animal welfare professionals in the face of unthinkable cruelty and neglect. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of treating all animals with kindness, respect, and compassion, and of our shared responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves.