A Grand Island man was in court Monday, facing a felony charge for helping a woman who had dumped 23 dogs in a Hall County field.

The animals were found dead or dying back in July.

During a preliminary hearing, Captain Jim Castleberry of the Hall County Sheriff's Department testified Roland Bowling lied to authorities and paid for a hotel room for Denise Withee.

Withee owned the dogs, and is suspected of dumping them.

Outside the courthouse, a dozen animal lovers demonstrated.

"You always hope that [demonstrating] has an effect on what they are charged with, but [they judges] have their duty," said Laurie Dethloff of the Central Nebraska Humane Society. "We're just hoping that the public recognizes that this is going on and that they'll also step up to help animals that can't defend themselves."

Bowling was bond over the district court on charges of felony accessory to a felony and misdemeanor false reporting.

Both Bowling and Withee are scheduled to appear in court separately later this month.