YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - When five mixed breed dogs were removed from an east side home in March of last year, they had sores on their bodies. Mary Louk, board president at Animal Charity says they required a lot of medical care.

"They were all very emaciated. They all needed dental work done. They all needed antibiotics. They were all very sick when they came in."

The owner of the dogs, 46-year old William Clemons, was charged with animal cruelty, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Since then, plea hearings in the case have been continued eight times in Youngstown Municipal Court, keeping Animal Charity from gaining custody of the animals and therefore keeping the dogs from finding forever homes.

"Their foster families want to adopt them and they cannot adopt them because they are not free to be adopted at this point."

As a result, Animal Charity has racked up nearly $17,000 in expenses and the bill continues to climb, after Thursday's hearing was continued for another month until May 21st.

"It's a cost of taking care of these animals properly," said Louk.

Because the dogs are only in foster care, Animal Charity has to pay for all of their medical needs, including vaccinations, and monthly heart guard and flea prevention.

Animal Charity wants the case to move forward so the dogs can too.

"They were abused and neglected by their owner and now it's like they've been abandoned again because we can't get them to where they need to be."