AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va (WSVA) – The Stuarts Draft man who was arrested last summer after authorities discovered dozens of dead and dying animals was in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.

According to online records, prosecutors decided not to pursue the six felony charges against Carl Rudolph Lentz in the General District Court.

Instead, the Augusta County Commonwealth’s Attorney reports that a strategic decision will bring back those charges as a result of a direct indictment when the circuit court grand jury convenes on March 25th.

The 60-year-old Lentz is facing charges of torturing or maiming a cat or dog after authorities received an anonymous call on June 2nd about several animals living in deplorable conditions on Augusta Farms Road.

He was arrested four days later and was released on his own recognizance.