🌱 Phoenix Ban On Dog Chains + Surge Of Area Teen Suicides + Bank Scam

Hello, friends. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in Phoenix these days.

But first, today's weather:

Warm; an afternoon t-storm. High: 105 Low: 79.

Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. Phoenix has updated its animal cruelty ordinance to impose fines and potential jail time for dog owners who use chains as restraints or fail to provide adequate shelter for their pets. The move, which was influenced by consultations with animal welfare organizations and various city departments, aims to educate pet owners before resorting to punitive measures. Violators of the new law face a $250 fine on the first offense, with escalating penalties of up to 15 days in jail and a $2,000 fine for subsequent violations. (The Arizona Republic)
2. A troubling surge in teen suicides and attempts has been observed at the start of the school year in Valley high schools, with the Arizona Department of Health Services reporting 9,085 hospitalizations for suicide attempts among those 17 and under. Amid this crisis, a nearby Chandler couple, whose 16-year-old son Ryder took his life despite battling medical and mental health challenges, are bravely sharing their story to prevent other families from experiencing similar loss. Community and state efforts to address this alarming issue include the launch of the Hope Institute, an on-campus suicide crisis intervention center, and a push for more immediate mental health interventions for teens at risk. (Arizona's Family)
3. A Phoenix woman, Kelsey Herrett, fell victim to a sophisticated text scam posing as a Wells Fargo fraud alert, ultimately losing nearly $2,000. Fooled by a spoofed phone call that she believed was from the bank's customer service, Herrett followed instructions to transfer her money to a "new, secure account," only to realize too late that she had been conned. As text message scams targeting bank customers soar, with consumers reporting $330 million in losses last year according to the Federal Trade Commission, experts and financial institutions are urging caution, advising people to verify any urgent communications directly with their bank. (Arizona's Family)

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Today in Phoenix:

Thursday, August 31

• Vino And Vibes Featuring Live Acoustic Music By Marcus Tinsley At Trevor's Liquor (7:00 PM)
• Full Moon Festival – Inner Magic At Sutra Studios (7:00 PM)

From our partner:

Do you know an outstanding community leader in Phoenix? Nominate them here for a chance to be featured on Patch!

From my notebook:

• Phoenix set another daily heat record on Tuesday, reaching a scorching 116 degrees and bringing the city closer to its all-time annual record of 53 days with temperatures over 110 degrees. (KTAR.com)
• Need a job? On Sep. 7, the City of Phoenix's Mobile Career Unit will be hosting an event with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, AJ's Fine Foods, and Food City. Apply and interview between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club on E. Belleview Street. (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)
• On Tuesday morning, the Phoenix Fire Department responded to a house fire near 22nd Place and Palm Lane. The residents had safely evacuated before the fire escalated, and firefighters rescued a dog and a cat from the fire. The cat was treated with oxygen from a FIDO bag. Click the link to view photos. (Phoenix Fire Department via Facebook)
  
• After reaching record highs in 2022, nationwide rates of catalytic converter thefts appear to be on the decline for the first half of 2023. In Arizona, catalytic converter thefts have decreased by 66.03 percent from 2022, though rates are still up over 4,677 percent from 2019. (BeenVerified)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you soon.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.