UPDATE: The Waldoboro man accused of shooting a dog with a BB gun more than 80 times remains in jail as of June 17. According to documents on file in Lincoln County Superior Court, he admitted that he shot the dog when he drank and became angry at it.

Aaron Armstrong is being held on $15,000 bail at Two Bridges Regional Jail. He was arrested June 13, two days after a local veterinarian took X-rays of the dog to try and determine why she had bumps under her skin.

Armstrong has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and violating conditions of release. According to an affidavit from Lincoln County Superior Court in Wiscasset, Armstrong had been previously arrested for operating under the influence.

The dog now known as Lady is an approximately 1-year-old black Labrador retriever.

Last week, Waldoboro Animal Control Officer Laurice Ducharme said she picked the dog up as a stray from a residence on Orrfs Corner Road less than two weeks ago.

Ducharme said the dog was very friendly and showed no signs of mistreatment. Lincoln County Animal Shelter workers became concerned about bumps they discovered on the dog's face and body. The dog did not exhibit any symptoms or discomfort.

The dog was held for 10 days. When nobody stepped forward as her owner, she was put up for adoption and a South Bristol resident expressed interest. That prompted an appointment with Boothbay Animal Hospital to have Lady spayed. At that point a veterinarian began looking into the cause of the bumps.

Ducharme said X-rays showed a smattering of dozens of BB pellets, at least 39 to her neck and face alone, setting the wheels in motion for a vigorous investigation into who caused the dog's injuries.

According to an affidavit on file at the courthouse in Wiscasset, Waldoboro Police Detective Jason Benefield received information that Armstrong possibly was the dog's owner.

In the report, Benefield said he and Chief Bill Labombarde went to Armstrong's residence on Orffs Corner Road, the area where Ducharme had picked up Lady as a stray.

“Armstrong advised (Detective Benefield) that he saw the news and the black Labrador belonged to him,” said the officer in the report.

Armstrong allegedly surrendered a BB/pellet gun he had also allegedly hidden in his attic, along with containers of BBs and pellets, according to the court document. “Armstrong said he hid the gun and ammunition in his attic after seeing the news the day before. Armstrong also said he shot the black Labrador behind his house or wherever the dog happened to be while he was extremely intoxicated,” said the officer in the report. “He said the dog was not responding to training and when he drank he became angry with the dog.”

Armstrong appeared in court June 14; but, the court clerk said there is no information on file yet on when his next court date is or what his bail conditions are, should he post bail.

Original post: A 32-year-old Waldoboro man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty in the case of the black Labrador retriever shot more than 80 times with a BB gun.

The Waldoboro Police Department announced they had arrested Aaron Armstrong at his residence without incident in the late afternoon of June 13. Armstrong has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty, according to Chief Bill Labombarde.

Chief Labombarde said Armstrong was transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.