A South Philadelphia woman from whom animal-cruelty agents seized 88 Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mix dogs and two cats two weeks ago was charged yesterday with 134 counts of animal cruelty, the Pennsylvania SPCA announced.
Court records identified her as Frances Rotonta, 49, of Earp Street near 8th.
Two dead dogs also were found in a July 14 raid on the Earp Street house, where several feet of feces covered the floor, according to George Bengal, director of investigations for the PSPCA.
He said Rotonta at one time bred Chihuahuas.
A raid July 13 on another alleged animal hoarder, on Mascher Street near Nedro Avenue, in Olney, netted 53 cats, eight dogs, 21 chinchillas and eight birds, as well as dead animals, including a fox, in a freezer, Bengal said.
The owner of the Mascher Street house, who identified herself as Olga Federov, said she had stored the dead animals in the freezer until their bodies could be collected by city sanitation workers. She was charged the week after the raid with numerous animal-abuse complaints.
The Earp Street raid followed complaints dating back three years, according to one neighbor, of a stench coming from the house. The Department of Licenses and Inspections had cited the house repeatedly, according to records.
The PSPCA said agents had tried earlier to investigate the complaints of Rotonta's Earp Street neighbors but were not allowed into the house until they got a warrant.
The summary citations against Rotonta include 43 for lack of veterinary care and 91 for housing animals in unsanitary conditions. Each citation carries a fine of up to $750 and no more than 90 days in jail.
