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The court entered not guilty pleas on behalf of Dixie Anna Plunkett, 76, and Patrick Lee Plunkett, 57, after the pair filed written waivers of Monday's arraignment.

The two to three day jury trial is set to begin Sept. 25. The final pre-trial will be held on Sept. 15.

The pair is charged with felony cruelty to 10 or more animals, as well the misdemeanor, kennel facility violations. County animal control officers removed 38 dogs, 20 birds and two cats from the residence on June 19, after allegedly observing animal cages, soaked in urine and feces and crowded with small dogs, dogs running loose in the house littered with urine and feces, and birds kept in filthy cages.

The Sanilac County Humane Society is caring for the animals, pending the outcome of a civil forfeiture petition the prosecutor's office is expected to file seeking permanent removal of the animals.