CHESTERFIELD -- A 52-year-old Chester woman has been charged with four counts of animal cruelty, three counts of failure to dispose of dead companion animals, failure to obtain a kennel license and destruction of property.

Patti J. Wheeler was charged with having between 50 and 60 cats and four dogs that lived at her home on 4508 Treely Road in Chester. Two weeks ago, animal control officers wearing sealed body suits removed the animals from the property and took them to Chesterfield County's animal shelter on Iron Bridge Road, where a veterinarian accessed their health and placement needs.