April Dawn Irving, the woman accused of hoarding 201 dogs on a southern Alberta acreage near Milk River, has been charged by RCMP with one count of animal cruelty in the death of five dogs.

This is not the first time the 55-year-old has been charged. She was convicted under Saskatchewan's Animal Protection Act after she was accused of operating a puppy mill in 2013 and also faced charges in Fort McMurray under Alberta's Animal Protection Act that were later dropped.

The latest seizure comes after Irving voluntarily surrendered 60 dogs in December in an arrangement with Alberta's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

SPCA officials say she was allowed to keep 141 dogs as long as she changed their current living conditions and tried to find new homes for many of them.

However, Cpl. Troy Dobson with the Milk River RCMP said when they attended the property in January for a routine checkup with SPCA authorities they found five dead dogs and others in distress.

He said Irving was charged under the Criminal Code following the necropsy results on the animals. It's believed they died of starvation as they had a "lack of food ... in their system."

The initial SPCA investigation is still ongoing, and charges under Alberta's Animal Protection Act are pending.

Officials said some of the 201 dogs taken from the property were emaciated, dirty with matted fur, dehydrated and suffering from various medical and behavioural ailments. Some had broken bones or open wounds infested with parasites, and many still require medical attention.

"These five animals weren't included in that 201 number," said Dobson.

Irving is scheduled to be back in court in Lethbridge on Feb. 25.