1 charged with animal cruelty, 14 pets removed from Laconia home

LACONIA — A 35-year-old Laconia resident was charged last week with two counts of animal cruelty and negligence, after two emaciated dogs suffering from mange were put down, and more than a dozen animals were removed from his 869-square-foot home.

Aaron Arbor, of Warren Street, 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 “under the ownership” of Arbor with ribs and back bones showing. They were “not in good health and needed medical assistance,” according to charging documents from Laconia District Court.

The euthanized dogs, Loki and Paws, appeared to have a skin issue that included marks and rashes. 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 emitting a strong odor.

The residence harbored an “overwhelming” scent consistent with “animal urine that had not been cleaned and had been left stagnant in a home.”

“Due to both animals clearly having a lack of food and care under the control of Arbor, I decided to place Arbor under arrest for two counts of cruelty to animals,” reads Officer Tyler Rouse’s deposition.

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

The animals were brought to several rescue operations, including the New Hampshire Humane Society and the Conway Area Humane Society.

“We take animal abuse seriously,” he said. “If animals don’t have a voice to stand up for them, they’re on their own.”

Arbor’s former wife took custody of two or three dogs, he said, and told police she was relocating to Campton. According to court documents, despite being divorced, Arbor and his ex-wife shared the home on Warren Street, with their animals, before Arbor was charged.

Arbor wrote, “the dogs don’t stay in the same area of the house,” and, “Ex wife can confirm she doesn’t allow contact or care with her animals.”

Police, along with Mayor Mike Bordes, believe she has since moved back into the house.

“They found a loophole, and those animals are in the same situation. I’m not OK with that,” Bordes said. “I’m making calls and seeing what can be done about this.” Bordes also serves the city as a Republican in the Statehouse.

“I don’t think they should have another animal for the rest of their life,” he added, a pet owner himself. He received video footage from neighbors showing the ill animals, and said it made him sick.

“Being in the same household is just as bad. We don’t put children back into bad homes. Why do we do it for dogs?”

Jessica Dooley, who resides across the street, was “quite surprised myself to hear about this.”

Mange is a contagious, skin disorder infecting the hair follicles of animals resulting in severe itching, hair loss and scabs. It shouldn’t occur in safe domestic environments.

“I’m not able to comment on this specific case, but I can tell you that anything these animals may have experienced is far from isolated. Across New Hampshire, my colleagues and I respond to abuse, neglect, hoarding, and unethical breeding on behalf of dozens of municipal partners every single day. In some cases, animals arrive sick, starved, and suffering. The work of restoring them to health and safety is among the most important aspects of our mission,” wrote Charles Stanton, executive director of the New Hampshire Humane Society, in an email to The Sun. “What makes that work even harder is watching legislators undermine it. We deal with the consequences of cruelty so that others don’t have to. The least we deserve is legislators who take our expertise seriously rather than advancing personal agendas at the expense of the animals we serve.”

Arbor was released from custody on a promise to return to court. A hearing on the charges is slated for Thursday, June 18, in Laconia District Court. Reached by phone, he declined to comment.

According to the court documents, Arbor is not allowed to have any dogs or animals, according to the conditions of his release.

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