A former Schuylkill County woman faces a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge after police say she abandoned a dog and four cats in an empty Girardville home. One of the cats reportedly suffered severe “crushing injuries” that required euthanasia.
Alicia Rovin, formerly of 100 N. John St. in Girardville and now living in Duncannon, Perry County, has been charged with one count of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, two summary counts of neglect of animals, and one summary count of abandoning a dog.
Police say a black, long-haired cat named Percy suffered fractured ribs, collapsed lungs, and severe tissue damage after being left at the residence.
The State Police investigation began on Jan. 3, 2025, when a report was received that dogs had been left at a home on N. John St. after the occupants moved out.
Upon arrival, police say they saw a brown and orange dog in the front window. Police say the home had no curtains, allowing a clear view inside where there was no furniture and no visible food or water bowls.
Police say they contacted Rovin by phone shortly after arriving at the scene. Rovin allegedly told police she had moved “approximately four hours away” on Dec. 30, 2024, leaving the animals behind. She allegedly admitted the dog, a mix named Bear, belonged to her but said she could not take him.
Rovin claimed she left food and water and had made arrangements with a Mount Carmel woman to take custody of the dog.
However, when police interviewed that Mount Carmel woman in July, she stated she never agreed to take the animal. She allegedly told investigators she saw the dog on the “Next Door App” and told Rovin she would “think about taking the dog” but ultimately declined.
The property landlord allegedly told police he visited the home earlier on Jan. 3 and found it in “complete disarray.” He contacted the Coal Mountain Animal Rescue after finding an SPCA he reached out to was full.
When police entered the home with animal rescue workers on Jan. 4, they reported finding the residence devoid of furniture with a “strong odor of urine and feces” throughout. Police say urine and feces were on the floors and noted that food and water had only been provided by the rescue group the night prior.
Inside, police found Bear in the kitchen area with his rib cage showing and an open laceration on his ear. Three cats were found in a second-floor bedroom, and a fourth cat, Percy, had been rushed to an emergency vet the previous night.
Percy, police say, was taken to Pet Emergency Treatment and Specialties in Lancaster.
Medical records cited by police indicate the cat had been “mauled by dogs” and suffered “fracture of multiple ribs on left side with severe displacement,” pulmonary contusions, and a pneumothorax.
Due to the severity of the “crushing injury,” Percy was humanely euthanized.
The other animals were treated at Rush Veterinary Urgent Care. The dog, Bear, was found to be underweight and suffering from an infected ear laceration and fleas. The three surviving cats – identified as Poe, Cookie, and Jellybean – were also determined to be malnourished and infested with fleas.
When asked by police during the initial call how she moved to a new location without knowing her address, Rovin allegedly became uncooperative.
Rovin has been ordered to appear in District Court in Frackville for a preliminary hearing on these charges on Feb. 25.
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