A 37-year-old woman from Washington state is facing a felony charge after allegedly threatening to murder employees and set fire to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC).
Court records show that on June 26, Katie Michelle Dickson placed 18 calls to the shelter within a 40-minute span, during which she allegedly made graphic threats of arson, sexual violence, and murder. The calls were recorded and later turned over to law enforcement.
Dickson surrendered to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month and was released on bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 21.
Maricopa County officials condemned the threats. “Threats of this nature are unacceptable, and we will do everything in our power to protect staff and hold bad actors accountable,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin in a statement.
Sheriff Jerry Sheridan added that his office maintains “zero tolerance for this type of behavior,” while MCACC Director Debbie McKnight stressed that staff safety remains the department’s highest priority.
Dickson, who resides in Vancouver, Wash., has not publicly commented on the charges.
The case comes as metro Phoenix animal shelters continue to face challenges, including overcrowding, rising abandonment rates, and increasing incidents of abuse, which have prompted calls for stronger protections for both animals and the people who care for them.
