Ahéhee’ (Thank you) for joining us to restore hózhó (harmony) in the Navajo Nation to our local communities and to our animals. On September 2025, a heartbreaking incident in Tonalea near WildCat Peak shattered a local community member: Two beloved dogs, adopted and cared for by a mother for years, were stolen, tortured, and killed by thieves because they resisted capture. Their owner,a  Shima, found them after two days of searching, devastated and heartbroken. This is not an isolated act—three individuals are reportedly stealing animals for profit, endangering pets and signaling deeper violence.

the post reads:

***Aminal Cruelty Awareness***
"l’m not sure if my post is valid for this group page but Im only posting this for awareness on behalf of Shima. 
I posted in another group page in Tonalea but my post was taken down. 
It was a post I made about animal cruelty in that area of Tonalea, WildCat Peak. 
My mother’s 2 dogs she adopted and had cared for years and were very dear to her were stolen near her property and tortured, unalived & discarded near her turn off only because they refused to be taken by these thieves. 
Shima was very devastated & heartbroken last night in discovering them after searching for 2 days. 
So people please be alert and aware of your pets from these surroundings in Tonalea, there are 3 individuals going around stealing animals & selling them for profit. (I couldn’t post the other dog but this is one of her dogs before & after he was unalived, I believe he was dragged also) 💔😭" 

Addressing the Link Between Animal Cruelty and Violence on Navajo Nation
Research reveals a chilling connection between animal cruelty and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and community violence. Up to 89% of IPV victims report that abusers harm pets to exert control, delay escape, and deepen trauma. On Navajo Nation, where Native women face IPV at a staggering lifetime prevalence of up to 84.3%—far exceeding non-Native populations—this link demands urgent attention. In Diné culture, animals are family and spiritual kin under k’é (kinship), deserving respect and protection. Their abuse often signals danger to humans, serving as a precursor to broader community violence, including the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR).

The intertwined crises of MMIR, the stray dog epidemic, and animal abuse on Navajo Nation are public health emergencies rooted in compounded trauma, structural neglect, and under-resourced systems. Without integrated, trauma-informed policies, these issues continue to threaten the safety and well-being of Indigenous relatives, animals, and the broader Diné community.

A Call for Stronger Laws and Enforcement
In 2022, Navajo Nation amended Title 17 to criminalize animal cruelty, a vital step forward. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, and the law lacks explicit connections to IPV and community violence. To address this, we urge the Navajo Nation Council to enact stronger, comprehensive laws that:

Define animal abuse—including torture, neglect, theft, killing, and dumping—with clear penalties such as fines, jail time, and restitution.
Recognize animal abuse as an aggravating factor in IPV, domestic, and community violence cases, triggering enhanced penalties.
Mandate cross-reporting between animal control, public health, and social services to ensure coordinated resources and support.
Fund training for law enforcement and community workers, alongside safe havens for IPV victims and their pets, honoring Navajo values of kinship and care.
The Ongoing Crisis and Systemic Challenges
The recent situation with the Tonalea pups underscores a persistent cycle of neglect and abuse. Stray dogs, dog dumping, unregulated breeding, and bartering with animals strain an already overwhelmed system. Border rescues in neighboring states and communities are inundated with animals from Navajo Nation, highlighting the scale of the crisis. Short-term measures like spay-and-neuter programs, vaccinations, and euthanasia are mere bandages on a deeper wound of pet overpopulation, animal abuse, and inadequate pet ownership practices across species.

Education and Cultural Alignment
Beyond stronger laws, fostering respect for animals as sentient beings is essential. Educational initiatives rooted in Diné values can promote responsible pet ownership, emphasizing animals’ roles as family members worthy of love and care. By addressing the root causes of neglect and abuse, we can begin to heal the community and break the cycle of violence.

A Path Forward
The link between animal cruelty and human violence is undeniable. By strengthening laws, improving enforcement, and investing in education and resources, Navajo Nation can protect both its people and animals, honoring the sacred principle of k’é. We call for immediate action to address these interconnected crises, ensuring safety, dignity, and well-being for all members of the Diné community.

to voice your own concerns:

Navajo Nation Council

steven.arviso@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order)

lomardo.aseret@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget & Finance)

helena.begay@navajo-nsn.gov (Health education & Human Services)

norman.begay@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget & Finance)

shawna.claw@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources & Development)n

echarles-newton@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order)

acrotty@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget and Finance)

crystalyne.curley@navajo-nsn.gov

hdaniels@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order)

vincejames@navajo-nsn.gov (Health, education and Human Services)

brenda.jesus@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources & Development)

casey.johnson@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources & Development)

andy.nez@navajo-nsn.gov (Health, Education and Human Services)

rickienez@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources & Development)

nathan.notah@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order)

sp.parrish@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget and Finance)

germaine.simonson@navajo-nsn.gov (Health Education and Human Services)

danny.simpson@navajo-nsn.gov (Resources and Development)

carlslater@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget and Finance)

george.tolth@navajo-nsn.gov (Health, Education and Human Services)

otso@navajo-nsn.gov (Resource and Development)

curtis.yanito@navajo-nsn.gov (Health, Education and Human Services)

cherilyn.yazzie@navajo-nsn.gov (Law and Order Committee)

lesteryazzie@navajo-nsn.gov (Budget and Finance).

Office of the President and OVP

Mailing Address

PO Box 7440

Window Rock, AZ

86515

Phone Number

(928) 871-7000

Fax Number

(928) 871-4025

To reach NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT: BUU NYGREN

alray.nelson@navajo-nsn.gov

To reach First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren:

daryn.sells@navajo-nsn.gov

To reach VP Richelle Montoya

josie.bowman@navajo-nsn.gov