We, the concerned residents of Yuma, Arizona, call on Mayor Doug Nicholls, the Yuma City Council, Yuma Police Department Animal Control, and our city officials to finally take real action to protect animals from neglect and cruelty.

A local woman, Kimberly J. Wright, has been working hard to help a big dog (looks like a Great Dane mix) in a Yuma neighborhood who has been left tethered outside, sometimes 24/7 but magically is untethered when officials arrive creating a cycle of since at least October 2025. He has almost nothing: no real shade or shelter, just a 50-gallon bucket of water that he can’t always reach, no dog bed, no toys, and very little human interaction. He is often left in full sun in our extreme desert heat, and it is heartbreaking to watch.

Kimberly has taken photos and videos, kept logs, called Animal Control dozens of times, spoken with officers, and reached out to the Mayor’s office. A troubling pattern has been noted: the dog is frequently tethered when residents observe him, but he is often found untethered right before or when Animal Control arrives which is  raising serious concerns that the owners are being tipped off or temporarily adjusting conditions only for inspections.

Arizona law gives us the tools to do better. State rules (like HB 2632 and related statutes) address tethering and require humane conditions:

•  It is illegal in many jurisdictions to tether a dog outside during extreme weather (below 32°F or above 90–100°F), with penalties including citations, fines, or misdemeanor charges.

•  Tethering is prohibited if it poses safety hazards, such as the dog becoming tangled, unable to reach water and shade, or being restrained unsafely (like a rope wrapped around the neck).

•  Dogs must have constant access to water, shade, and dry ground. Many areas limit unattended tethering to no more than 4–8 hours in a 24-hour period.

Yuma doesn’t have the clear, strong local ordinances that cities like Phoenix and Glendale now have, but we can change that. We need to step up and enforce these protections here.

Here’s what we’re asking for:

1.  Immediate intervention for this dog — a thorough welfare check that includes  removal if necessary, and getting him to safety or a rescue like HSOY. 

2.  Clear, enforceable local ordinances aligned with Arizona standards, including time limits on tethering, mandatory shade/water/shelter, bans on tethering in extreme heat, and real penalties for repeat offenders.

3.  Better resources and training for Animal Control so officers can act decisively on welfare complaints.

4.  Transparency and follow-up so residents know what’s being done.

This isn’t about punishing responsible pet owners. It’s about protecting animals who have no voice and making sure irresponsible people are held accountable. Our desert heat is deadly, and we have to do better.

Additionally, widespread news has circulated about two corgis that were shot and left by a canal for the owners to find. And recently. A heartbreaking revelation about a stray cat who was found with gunshot injuries to the head and ultimately had to be euthanized. Studies show that aggression towards animals is often linked to an advance aggression to humans. 

Please sign this petition and share it widely. Every signature and share helps put pressure on our leaders to make the changes we need. Together we can make Yuma a better place for animals.

Thank you for your support and for caring,

Concerned Yuma Residents

June 23, 2026