A man is facing an animal cruelty charge after his pet dog that was found with multiple injuries had to be euthanized, Lauderhill Police said.
Wayne Andrew Aris Jr., 30, was arrested Thursday on an aggravated animal cruelty charge, records showed.
According to an arrest affidavit, Broward County Animal Care had responded to a housing complex on Northwest 34th Street back in February over concerns about possible breeding after residents had dropped off two different boxes of puppies.
Aris told an Animal Control officer there was one dog at the residence but it was sick and would have to be euthanized within 30 days, the affidavit said.
He wouldn’t allow Animal Care workers into the home or backyard to view the dog but took a photo, and in the photo the dog appeared to have various scars/wounds and it was deemed possible cruelty, the affidavit said.
An anonymous neighbor said that two to three times a week, various dogs were heard fighting at the residence, the affidavit said.
“The neighbor also advised that the dogs can be heard in distress/barking in addition to the fighting,” the affidavit said. “The neighbor was unsure whether the dogs fought because they did not get along or for another reason.”
Aris later let investigators into his back patio area to see the dog, Thor, and said Thor had been wobbling for about a year due to heat exposure, the affidavit said.
Images of Thor from the arrest affidavit of Wayne Aris
Aris said Thor had previously been treated for a seizure and has scarring from being bitten by a snake but had all his shots and was neutered, the affidavit said.
He added that he wasn’t emotionally ready to surrender Thor, knowing he would be put down, but was told he had 24 hours to take him to the vet, the affidavit said.
Thor arrived at Broward County Animal Care on Feb. 12 and was found to be weak and malnourished with multiple injuries and a body condition score of 2/9, the affidavit said.
He was euthanized on Feb. 17.
“Based on the totality of the circumstances, Aris Jr., who had custody or control of Thor, failed to act by not providing appropriate medical care to the dog, causing Thor to have excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering,” the affidavit said.