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Cases of alleged animal hoarding were considered briefly in court before the case was continued Tuesday.
Meanwhile the animals taken from the Quaker City address are recovering, thanks to a lot of work and care from volunteers.
The cases of Paula Metzler, 55, and her daughter Kristi Metzler, 30, both of 100 Fair Ave., Quaker City, came before Belmont County Western Division Judge Eric Costine.
Each faces six fifth-degree felony counts of causing serious physical harm to companion animals, one first-degree misdemeanor count of child endangerment and 13 second-degree misdemeanor charges of animal abuse. They are to have no contact with animals or the individual involved in the alleged child-endangering case, Paula Metzler's 19-year-old daughter who has a disability.
Belmont County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Vavra said Paula Metzler appeared via video and requested that her $5,000 bond be reduced.
"That was denied," Vavra said.
He added that Kristi Metzler's attorney could not be present, so her case also was continued. They will appear before Costine again Oct. 10 and remain lodged at the Belmont County Jail.
Paula Metzler has a prior conviction for animal cruelty in Belmont County, and investigators believe the Metzlers have moved animals back and forth from their properties in Belmont and Guernsey counties in an effort to conceal that they had the animals.
Due to the serious harm to the animals in the case, the prosecutor's office intends to pursue felony charges.
"It is our intention to present the matters to grand jury," Vavra said.
Multiple animals were reportedly found dead at the home. Belmont County Hoof & Paw, which has taken custody of the surviving animals, described the conditions as "deplorable."
Julie Larish, humane agent for Belmont County Hoof & Paw, said the animals they have taken in are recovering.