A DELAWARE COUNTY lawyer who ran a "rescue" operation for German shepherds out of her Marcus Hook law office was found guilty of 43 counts of animal cruelty in district court yesterday after Pennsylvania SPCA officers found conditions at the facility were "horrendous," the PSPCA said.
Terry Silva, 53, owner of Sixth Angel Shepherd Rescue, was sentenced to pay a $5,900 fine plus court costs.
In February, PSPCA raided Silva's law office following complaints from residents and Marcus Hook officials. Inside, officers found 28 German shepherds and shepherd mixes in closets and crates who were in need of veterinary care.
George Bengal, director of law enforcement for the PSPCA, said "the stench of built-up waste was overwhelming" in the building.
Silva turned over all of her dogs to the PSCPA following the raid. One of the dogs had to be euthanized, but the other 27 were adopted out or transferred to other, legitimate rescue operations, according to the PSCPA.