HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Two aging dogs are at the center of a legal battle in Cabell County over whether a shelter should follow their previous owner's directive to euthanize them.

The Herald-Dispatch reports that Cabell County Circuit Judge Paul Farrell issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday blocking the dogs' euthanization.

The order came in a lawsuit filed against the Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Control Shelter by Connie Kirk. Kirk is a shelter volunteer who wants to adopt the golden retriever mixes or find other homes for them.

Cabell County manager Chris Tatum says the dogs' previous owner brought them to the shelter. The woman told shelter workers that the dogs are 14 years old and have health problems. She paid to have them euthanized.

A hearing will be held next week.