The owner of a dog rescue in Corning was back in court, pushing to get a hate crime charge against her dropped. The trouble all stemmed from a Facebook post involving an Amish family.     

Tanner's Paws owner Christie Speciale was back in front of a judge in Corning City Court. Her defense continued to ask the judge that this case be dismissed.

"The law is the law and we'll resolve this at trial. Obviously, Ms. Speciale, she has the absolute right to be presumed innocent and she is at this stage," said Brooks Baker, Steuben County District Attorney.

Speciale is asking that all charges, including a hate crime, be dropped. The charges stem from a conversation Speciale had with a man during Harvest Fest. Prosecutors say she confronted an Amish family regarding a puppy mill, and posted something on Facebook Live.

"A hate crime mandates violence. And he has yet to show any violence on her behalf," said Susan Chana Lask, the attorney for Speciale.

The defense also asked for the removal of Baker from the case, arguing misconduct. The defense made the claim the DA has a personal stake in the case after her client outed his relative in an unrelated animal abuse case.

"Mr. Baker has no business being the prosecutor on this because he has a personal bias, because she exposed his convict brother of animal abuse, brother-in-law of animal abuse," said Lask.

"There is an affirmation filed which is disturbing and I'm not going to comment on it, that's up to the judge. The allegations are patently false," said Baker.

The prosecution, on the other hand, filed a motion, asking for orders of protection for his witnesses.

The judge has not yet ruled on any of the motions. A preliminary hearing has been set for January.