SALISBURY, Md. - Two animal cruelty cases in Wicomico County are causing frustration among people.
The first case involved hundreds of neglected dogs seized from an alleged puppy mill in Eden in 2016. The owner, Susan Marie Murphy was scheduled to appear in court next week.
Murphy's trial date was postponed several times before and now it is being postponed again after nearly three years. The new trial date is May 14.
The second case involves dozens of dead and neglected horses discovered at a farm in Hebron in March. The owner, Barbara Pilchard is scheduled to appear in court in early November.
In April 2016, Wicomico County Sheriff's deputies removed 310 dogs from a puppy mill on Cooper Road in Eden. Since then, the dogs have found their forever homes but the court case is still on-going.
"I'm not sure that there is a case that this office has handled that has lasted as long to get the initial trial as this one, so it is incredibly frustrating for me and I understand it is incredibly frustrating for the public," Dykes said.
In March, Chopper 16 flew over the Hebron farm. More than two dozen horses were found dead and nearly 100 were rescued. WBOC learned that this case may also be delayed.
"The Pilchard case as well as the Murphy case are both impacted by this development and I anticipate a postponement in the Pilchard case as a result of this new development," Dykes said.
Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie Dykes tells WBOC there are issues with one key witness delaying both trials.
"The Murphy case has been postponed yet again," she said. "Because [of] a crucial state's witness, there is an investigation underway that impacts credibility."
Steve Franklin is one of many who rescued a Pomeranian from the alleged puppy mill in Eden. Franklin said it's frustrating justice has yet to be served.
"It shouldn't take three years to bring a horrendous crime like this to trial, it's very frustrating to see it because I'm crazy about the dogs," Franklin said.
Dykes tells WBOC Justice delayed is justice denied.