A 42-year-old Mesa woman, Brook Scalero, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after police uncovered a disturbing journal detailing the torture and killing of several dogs.
The investigation began in June 2024 when the animal rescue group “Paws Fur the Cause” reported that Scalero had failed to pay the $500 adoption fee for a Maltese mix named Pepe. This initial incident unraveled into a grim discovery of animal abuse spanning months.
A Disturbing Trail of Evidence
In October, police were called to a local animal hospital where they found a dog with injuries consistent with abuse. Though the dog was initially suspected to be Pepe, a microchip revealed it was Griffin, another dog registered to Scalero. Around the same time, Scalero’s roommate discovered a journal documenting the torture and deaths of more than 10 dogs, including graphic accounts of Griffin and a third dog named Gus.
The journal entries described chilling details. One page read:
“He was a three-year-old Maltese. I kept him one night and killed him the next day. He tries to pull away, but I don’t let him. Instead, I choke him out by strangling him over and over again.”
Another entry outlined how Griffin was left in a hot car before succumbing to his injuries, and yet another described Gus bleeding to death at a veterinary clinic.
On November 15, police confirmed Pepe’s death after his body was discovered behind a bush near 8th Avenue and Extension Road on Scalero’s residence. This discovery matched a description in her journal, which had also been shared on social media by concerned citizens tracking the entries.
Confessions and Charges
Initially arrested on unrelated charges, Scalero admitted the journal was hers but claimed the graphic details were “creative writings.” However, when interviewed again, she confessed to her involvement in the deaths of Pepe, Griffin, and Gus.
In addition to animal cruelty, Scalero faces theft charges for taking Pepe without paying the adoption fee.
Calls for Justice
Ally Zacovic of “Paws Fur the Cause” expressed outrage and determination to see Scalero prosecuted. “She talked a lot about the pleasure she got from torturing these animals. I want her prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Zacovic said.
Scalero has a history of criminal activity and is now in custody, awaiting legal proceedings. Animal welfare advocates hope this case will underscore the importance of strict enforcement of animal cruelty laws to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This case has left the community shaken, highlighting the darkness of animal abuse and the importance of vigilance and advocacy for those who cannot defend themselves.