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• Aug 10, 2006 6:23 pm US/Eastern
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  Alleged Animal Hoarder's Sister Speaks Out

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Alleged Animal Hoarder's Sister Speaks Out

Harford County, MD (WJZ) ― A legal battle brewing in Harford County over one of the dozens of dogs confiscated during the raid on a Harford County ranch in May.

The accused animal hoarders mother and sister say though they had nothing to do with the case, they can't get their own family dog back.

When the dozens of dogs caged and suffering, animals were surrounded by filth, malnourished, and coated in their own feces, some already dead, police charged property owner Donna Bell with more than 100 counts of animal cruelty.

WJZ'S Derek Valcourt spoke exclusively with the suspects sister. "Anytime I ever saw Donna with dogs, they were clean, they were healthy, there were always going to the vet so as far as I know Donna took care of the dogs." said Trish Corona.

In fact the family says they were so convinced that when their 85-year-old mother was hospitalized, they left her dog Rena in Donna Bell's care. Rena was surrendered to the Harford County Humane Society along with the other animals. Most of those dogs have been adopted but Rena's still there.

The family would like to see Rena returned to the mother, but for now the Harford County Human Society won't let them have Rena. They claim she's aggressive to other dogs.

Former Humane Society volunteer Gus Cesanro spent weeks helping the Whiteford dogs. He worries the shelter will Euthanize Rena. "The only thing that should happen to Rena is that she be reunited with her owner." he said.

The shelter manager tells Eyewitness News she has no intention of putting Rena to sleep and it appears this case is heading to court. The family hired a lawyer to get Rena back. Meanwhile Donna Bell's criminal case is moving full speed ahead with a hearing set for September.

The Harford County Humane Society will be holding an adoptathon Friday through Saturday. In addition to a few Whiteford dogs, they have dozens of other wonderful animals still needing a home.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)