WARRENTON, N.C. — A Warren County judge has dismissed an animal cruelty case involving dogs seized from a hunting club.

Judge Larry Senter's decision is a blow for an animal group that won a court order last month to seize the dogs from Parktown Hunting club.

Many of the dogs were suffering from lack of food and water and were in poor medical condition.

The judge's decision to dismiss the case means the dogs must be returned to the hunters.