A Troutville veterinarian known for helping law enforcement officers with seized, neglected animals pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing a controlled substance without a prescription.

But a judge in Botetourt County Circuit Court took the case under advisement. The charge will be dismissed if Sabra Lucas stays out of trouble for a year and completes a treatment program and 100 hours of community service.

A second charge of possessing hydromorphone was dropped, but the prosecutor could at some time reinstate that charge.

Lucas was a veterinarian at Old Dominion Veterinary Clinic, but her license was suspended in March pending a hearing in August, her attorney Terry Grimes said.

She is accused of using the clinic's hydromorphone to relieve the pain of migraines, said John McNeil, the special prosecutor who was assigned to the case because of Lucas' working relationship with Botetourt County officers and prosecutors.

-- Amanda Codispoti