City resident pleads not guilty in animal cruelty case

LACONIA — A city resident will head to court in September, to face two counts of animal cruelty, after pleading not guilty and waiving a formal reading of charges.  

Aaron Arbor, 35, of 111 Warren St., heads to trial at 8:30 a.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Laconia District Court, with Judge Laura Lombardi.

Two of 14 pets at the residence were euthanized in May, after they were observed to be severely neglected and lacking medical care.

Arbor was taken into custody at 10:12 a.m. on May 6, following an investigation by Laconia Animal Control Officer Tanya Smith. Smith saw two dogs with ribs and back bones showing. They were “not in good health and needed medical assistance,” according to charging documents.

The euthanized dogs, Loki and Paws, appeared to have skin issues. Loki appeared “very sick and weak due to the lack of hydration and/or food.” Paws was removed from the home wearing a urine-stained sweater with a strong odor.

“It was a neglect case, not abuse. He was not giving them the proper care, but he wasn’t beating them,” Police Chief Matt Canfield said in a previous interview. A total of 14 animals were removed from the house, including nine dogs, four cats and one rabbit.

“Without lawful authority negligently deprives or causes to be deprived any animal in his possession or custody necessary care, sustenance, or shelter in that the said Aaron Arbor did not provide proper nutrition and medical care for his dog 'Loki' causing him to have skin rashes/infection and become emaciated to the point where he was so sick and weak due to lack of food, hydration and proper medical care he had to be euthanized to end his suffering, the said offense constituting a Class A misdemeanor,” reads the case summary complaint.

The complaint narrative for Paws reads similarly.

Attempts to contact Arbor’s public defender were unsuccessful. According to court documents, Arbor is not allowed to have any dogs or animals as a condition of his release before trial.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.