UPDATE: Northeast Missouri woman's animal abuse trial delayed

MACON — A trial in the case of a northeast Missouri woman charged with six counts of felony animal abuse has been delayed.

Judy Pennington of rural Madison is to be tried in Macon County after a change of venue from Monroe County. A judge was to have begun hearing the case without a jury on Wednesday, but the trial was delayed. A new trial date has not been set.

Pennington's husband, Ronnie, is also charged in the case. His trial has not been scheduled.

Rescuers removed dozens of animals from the Penningtons' Madison farm in April 2008, after what the Humane Society of Missouri called years of trying to get the couple to improve conditions.

Investigators said horses, goats, dogs, cats and other animals at the farm lacked shelter, food and water. The Penningtons disputed the charges and called the removal of the animals unnecessary.