SPCA Rescues Dozens of Dogs From Willistown Home

Members of the Chester County SPCA removed 54 dogs from the yellow ranch home at 7 Crumley Ave. in the northeast corner of Willistown Monday afternoon.

The SPCA was acting on a tip from a person who had purchased a dog from the home and was concerned about the conditions there. The buyer had seen an ad on the Internet.

SPCA spokesman Rich Britton said the SPCA had visited the home before, but the number of dogs had increased dramatically since then.

The dogs were kept in conditions with insufficient room and light, according to Britton. The breeds included shih tzu, bijon, Yorkshire terrier and Chihuaha. 

"These are high-ticket dogs," Britton said. "These are dogs that would fetch thousands of dollars. "

Yvonne Tikkala is listed as the resident of the home. A woman talking to reporters outside the home Monday afternoon after the dogs had been removed, identified by NBC as Bonnie Tikkala, said she had been planning to downsize the number of dogs soon anyway.

"They're all well-fed. They're happy dogs," Tikkala said as she held a Chihuahua. She disputed allegations in the citation she received that her home had fleas.

A person must have a kennel license to keep 26 or more dogs.

The dogs removed from the home are at the Chester County SPCA and will undergo health evaluations. They should be available for adoption in two to three weeks, according to Britton.