VIERA -- It will be another week before we find out if a judge will throw out evidence in an animal cruelty case.

Investigators said Christine Abrams, 29, moved out of her home, but left her German Shepherd in a crate for two months with no food or water.

During Friday's hearing, animal rights groups demonstrated outside the courthouse, trying to get a judge to give Abrams a stern punishment for what happened to her dog.

A neighbor spotted the dog's body and called for help. However, the defense is trying to convince the judge that that Abrams' home was illegally searched because police didn't have a warrant.

The Humane Society hopes the judge throws out that argument.

Right now, the hearing is scheduled to resume Wednesday, July 9, in order to give the defense and prosecution time to argue over motions.

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