SAXONBURG — Two sisters accused of animal abuse failed to appear in district court Wednesday.

Despite the absence of defendants Susan L. Batz, 67, and Robin Batz, 63, both of Valencia, a preliminary hearing was still held.

The sisters have been free on $30,000 unsecured bond. While prosecutors could have opted to request an arrest warrant for the two, they instead moved forward with the preliminary hearing.

District Judge Sue Haggerty said she agreed to do so because the Batz sisters had been arrested, arraigned in-person and informed of Wednesday's court time, date and place.

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