Malvern woman charged for running unlicensed dog kennel

Police in Chester County have filed charges against the Malvern woman who was harboring dozens of dogs in her home. A search yesterday resulted in 54 dogs being rescued from the property.

Yvonne Tikkala is charged with running an unlicensed kennel and animal cruelty after the Chester County SPCA found the animals stocked in crates in a room dim lighting and poor ventilation, the Associated Press reports.

Tikkala advertised the puppies as pure-breds when she attempted to sell them on eBay. She says she did not mistreat the animals, but had too many.

State laws allow residents to have up to 25 dogs without registering as a kennel.