Waterford — The local man who police arrested on Tuesday in connection with a February investigation into animal cruelty was charged because he admitted two of the affected dogs were his in court last week, according to an affidavit.

Nathan M. Epperson, 43, of 471 Mohegan Ave., Quaker Hill, was charged Tuesday with two counts of cruelty to animals, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, two counts of having an unlicensed dog and two counts of having a dog without a rabies vaccination.

On March 9, Aftin A. Perez, 28, also of 471 Mohegan Ave., was arraigned in New London Superior Court on eight counts of animal cruelty, eight counts of having unlicensed dogs, six counts of failing to vaccinate dogs for rabies and three counts of risk of injury to a minor.

According to an affidavit written by Waterford Police Detective Sgt. Edward DeLaura, Perez told police she was trying to breed dogs and start a kennel when they visited the home Feb. 11.

During the visit, an officer noted that one dog had been left outside in freezing temperatures since at least the previous night.

While police were on scene, DeLaura wrote, Epperson arrived and asked what the problem was.

When the officer told Epperson that the condition of the dog in the backyard was in clear violation of animal cruelty statutes, Epperson said “the only reason that (expletive) is outside is cuz he killed my cat,” according to the affidavit.

Epperson went on to explain that they put the dog outside while trying to find a new owner for it and thought its doghouse and some hay would protect it from the below-freezing temperatures, according to DeLaura.

He then refused to allow the officers back into the house.

When police executed a search and seizure warrant at the home Feb. 19, they said they found seven sickly dogs — with conditions including broken teeth, cut off ears, malnutrition, parasites and urine-soaked, feces-caked skin — living in confined spaces.

Police said they also found the rotted carcass of an eighth dog.

While the Chihuahua, Rottweiler, pit bull and mixed breed dogs were removed from the home and provided with veterinarian care after the search, the three children in the home, ages 1, 3 and 5, were left in the care of Epperson, who is their father.

In New London on June 20, during a civil hearing in the matter of Town of Waterford v. Two Dogs et al, Epperson made statements referring to two of the Rottweiler dogs seized during the Feb. 19 search as “my dogs,” according to the affidavit.

Police said they found one of the Rottweilers he claimed was his locked inside a soiled wire crate with no food or water with signs of prolonged confinement, including caked feces on her fur.

The other Rottweiler in question was found filthy from its own waste in a plastic crate, according to police.

Epperson was released from custody on a promise to appear in court.

His next scheduled court date is in New London Superior Court on July 6.

l.boyle@theday.com