Staff Report

Ricky A. Snelling Jr.

ROCHESTER — A Rochester man was arrested after allegedly punching a dog multiple times.

Ricky A. Snelling Jr., 37, 6525 N. SR 25, Rochester, is charged with cruelty to an animal, a class A misdemeanor.

On Oct. 9, 2024, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of someone hitting a dog in Rochester. The officer spoke with a woman who said she saw Snelling punch his dog four times in the back left side. A second witness said he heard Snelling hit the dog.

According to court documents, Snelling told the deputy he would never hit his dog and that there was nothing wrong with any of the dogs on his property. When one deputy walked over to the dog that was allegedly hit, Snelling backtracked on his statement and said he was told the dog had hip issues when he first got her.

Deputies noticed the dog was whimpering and limping, struggling to pick up her back end.

Fulton County Animal Control took possession of the dog and brought it to a local vet clinic for examination.

A vet determined the dog sustained soft tissue damage consistent with trauma.

Snelling was booked in the Fulton County Jail on Jan. 2, 2025.