Updated with photo

Fri, 06/14/2013 - 1:45pm

Holly S. Edwards

Lady, a young black Labrador retriever, was picked up in Waldoboro as a stray nearly two weeks ago. Her rescuers eventually found she was riddled with BB shot under her skin, at least 83 pellets worth. (Courtesy Lincoln County Animal Shelter)

Aaron Armstrong, 32, of Waldoboro. (Courtesy Lincoln County Jail)

WALDOBORO — A day after the story of Lady went viral, lighting up the Internet — even making headlines in UK media DailyMail.co.uk — 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 late Thursday afternoon announced they had arrested Aaron Armstrong at his residence, without incident. Armstrong has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a class C felony, according to Chief Bill Labombarde.

The black Lab, subsequently named Lady, was picked up about 12 days ago as a stray by Waldoboro Animal Control Officer Laurice Ducharme. She was held for 10 days at Lincoln County Animal Shelter and then examined by the shelter's veterinarian in Boothbay, where it was discovered the approximately 1-year-old dog had sustained at least 83 BB shots.

The BB shots, likely made of copper or zinc covered steel pellets, were discovered on a series of X-rays, which showed them embedded throughout her body, from her snout and muzzle to her tail. None of the BBs appeared to penetrate vital organs and the wounds had since healed, no longer causing the dog visible discomfort or pain, according to Ducharme.

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

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Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.