The San Bruno dog owner charged with misdemeanor animal neglect after 19 shi tzus were confiscated from the cramped, urine-soaked home she shared with them pleaded not guilty to the three charges yesterday.

Carol Giani, 70, asked for a court-appointed attorney and waived her right to a speedy trial. Giani, who is free from custody on her own recognizance, returns to court July 13 for a pretrial conference followed by trial June 23.

Giani was charged with misdemeanor animal neglect after a welfare check turned up 19 shi tzu dogs in a foul-smelling residence with varied health conditions which required two of the dogs to be euthanized, according to prosecutors.

The Peninsula Humane Society took the dogs but two had to be put down, one died on his own and the others remain in its care while authorities determine if some can be adopted or a smaller number returned to Giani at the conclusion of her criminal case, according to spokesman Scott Delucchi.

Delucchi said the dogs had varied medical issues, including rotten teeth and tumors, and some were quite geriatric — which could make adoption challenging. Giani reportedly voluntarily surrendered two of the animals but is challenging the seizure of the others.

Prosecutors charged Giani with one count of animal neglect for each of the two dogs euthanized and another count encapsulating the welfare of the remaining animals.