A preliminary hearing has been set for Friday for a New Florence woman who had more than 100 animals, many of them deathly ill, inside her home.
A criminal complaint filed yesterday charges 54-year-old Alexsandria Klochak with 236 offenses, including fourteen felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing significant bodily injury or death. She is also charged with fourteen misdemeanor counts each of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals, and 193 summary counts of neglect of animals by either failing to provide them food and water or shelter.
Westmoreland County humane officers obtained a search warrant for the home along Ross Mountain Park Road in Fairfield Township after Klochak denied them entry upon request last month. They found thirty dogs, 67 cats, a box turtle, and even a deer inside the home, which reeked of animal feces and urine. The floors were covered with waste and paper towels that had been used to soak it up, and waste had been shoveled against the walls to provide walking room.
The complaint says the sickly animals were all infested with worms and fleas. They were removed from the home and are mostly being cared for at shelters and by veterinarians. The state Game Commission took control of the turtle and the deer.
Klochak is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison with bond set at $20,000. Her parents were previously convicted of operating a kennel at the home without a license.
