Two-hundred thirty-six criminal charges filed against a Westmoreland County woman were held for court Wednesday during a preliminary hearing, and when Alexsandria Klochak’s parents showed up to support their daughter, they were arraigned on the same 236 charges.
74-year-old Richard Klochak and 71-year-old Yvonne Klochak, of Cape May Courthouse, new Jersey, were arraigned before District Judge Denise Thiel and released on $10,000 unsecured bond. They and their daughter are all now charged with fourteen felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing significant bodily injury or death, 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 weer initially turned away by 54-year-old Alexsandria Klochak when they showed up at her home on Ross Mountain park Road in the New Florence area in March. They returned with a search warrant and found 30 dogs, 67 cats, a box turtle, and even a deer inside the home. The animals were all infested with worms and fleas and the home reeked of animal feces and urine.
Alexsandria Klochak is free on $20,000 unsecured bond. Her attorney claims the animals were being temporarily cared for inside the home because of a fire at another building on the property. Her parents were previously convicted of operating a kennel at the home without a license.
