BEDFORD, Va.—
The Bedford man charged with animal cruelty for having more than 100 animals in his house has been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation.Back in September, Bedford Animal Control seized 74 cats and 28 dogs from the home of Ronald Snellings.
His attorneys are now asking the court to determine whether Snellings was legally competent when those animals were taken.
A doctor will evaluate Snellings and report back to Bedford court April 4th.
Snellings is facing misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty for what investigators call a case of "animal hoarding."
Should his case go to trial, Snellings' attorneys are planning to call veterinarians to the stand who can verify the Bedford man was taking care of his many animals.
Prosecutors say they too have veterinary witnesses that can testify against Snellings.
Bedford General District Court Judge Harold Black has recused himself from Snellings' case, citing a conflict of interest. In court Monday, Black told attorneys that his own veterinarian is among the witnesses scheduled to testify for the prosecution.
Snellings could avoid a conviction if doctors discover he was incompetent at the time of his offense, but prosecutors say that judgment could also prevent Snellings from legally possessing animals in the future.
