Chester County Woman Convicted of Animal Cruelty

A Valley Township woman has been found guilty of all charges related to an animal cruelty investigation stemming from the rescue of three dogs by the Chester County SPCA’s Animal Protective Services team, one of which was nearly frozen to death, on Jan. 10.

CCSPCA Humane Society Police Officer Kelsey Beam charged Rosita Roman, 47, with five counts of animal cruelty for failure to provide adequate shelter, food and water, and necessary veterinary care. Roman was convicted of all charges and has been ordered to pay restitution for medical expenses and fines of up to $750 per charge. Additionally, Roman is not permitted to own or possess animals.

Roman was also charged by CCSPCA Animal Control Officer Nathan Hancock and found guilty of four dog law violations for failure to provide rabies vaccinations and county dog licenses. She will pay fines of up to $300 per charge.

When the CCSPCA’s Animal Protective Services team arrived on scene at the Valley Township home on Saturday, Jan. 10, they found two dogs left outdoors on the property. A third dog, an eight-week old puppy, was living inside the home. The two Chihuahua mixes, one male and one female, were found in a urine-soaked wire cage with frozen water, no food, and exposed to temperatures topping at barely 20° F.

The male Chihuahua, named “Christopher Robin” by CCSPCA staff and estimated to be approximately three-years old, was motionless and emaciated; he appeared to be deceased. When the dog was taken to West Chester Animal Emergency Center, his temperature was so low that it did not register on thermometers. But after receiving heat support, intravenous fluids, and glucose, he began to recover.

Christopher Robin was in the care of a medical foster home in the weeks following his rescue and has since made a full recovery.

The dogs were surrendered to the CCSPCA prior to the conclusion of the Animal Protective Services’ investigation. One of the dogs was adopted from the shelter and the other two were placed for adoption through rescue partners of the organization.

To learn more about the important work of the Animal Protective Services department and their lifesaving efforts, please visit: www.ccspca.org/animal-protective-services.