MINERSVILLE - A Minersville woman is facing 13 counts of cruelty to animals' charges after an incident in the borough on Friday.
Minersville police said Karen Kershner, 50, of 106 Westwood St. will have to appear before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.
Police said officers were called to the woman's home acting on a complaint of a large amount of garbage and debris both on the porch and in front of the house.
While knocking on the front door about 10 a.m. police said officers could hear several dogs barking inside and could smell a strong odor of feces.
When the woman's husband answered the door the smell of feces became stronger and a cat ran out from inside, police said.
Officers asked the man how many animals were inside the home and told by Karen Kershner that she had two cats and two dogs.
Police said the landlord came to the home and entered with officers where 13 cats and three dogs were found.
One of the dogs was chained to a bed and police said the house was filthy with garbage and feces, police said.
Police said the woman's daughter called and said the dogs were hers and that she would be by in an hour to get them but was told the SPCA was contacted to take the animals.
Due to the conditions of the animals and the living conditions at house officers said the animals would be released only to the SPCA.
Also living in the house was Robert Dana, who is handicapped having only one leg, police said adding that the building was not handicapped accessible.
Minersville borough officials had both Kershners, Dana and the animals removed from the building and the home posted unfit for human habitation, police said.