Andy Ray Harris, 31, pleaded not guilty Tuesday during a brief hearing before Judge Robert Adkins in 3rd District Court in Tooele and a pretrial conference was scheduled for July 19, the Salt Lake City Deseret News reported Wednesday.
Harris is accused of eating a hairless baby rat March 16. A video later posted online depicts Harris putting the live animal in his mouth, chewing and taking a drink.
Authorities said the video was forwarded to the Tooele City Attorney's Office by members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
