Hooksett Police Officer Christopher Underwood holds one of the 15 dogs that were rescued from deplorable living conditions at a Merrimack Street home on Jan. 16. Courtesy photo/Hooksett Police Department

HOOKSETT – Jennifer Liles, Billy Towne and Patrick Liles, all of Hooksett, are facing several charges of animal cruelty after police became aware of poor living conditions at a home on Merrimack Street.

According to police, officers arrived at the residence on Jan. 16 to find 15 dogs in the house — seven of them were just 12 weeks old and were packed into one crate.

“There was no food or water present and there was urine and feces throughout the house,” said Sgt. Valerie Lamy. “The dogs themselves were covered in feces and were showing signs of various health issues.”

Working with Granite State Dog Recovery, police transported the dogs to the Pope Memorial SPCA in Concord.

A young child was also found to be living in the home, which prompted a response from the state Division for Children, Youth and Families.

Towne, 48, and Jennifer Liles, 45, have been charged with 15 counts of animal cruelty and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. They were both released on $2,500 cash bail. Patrick Liles, 24, is charged with 15 counts of animal cruelty and was released on $1,000 cash bail.

Under state law, if convicted, Towne and Jennifer Liles could each face up to eight years in prison and up to $6,000 in fines. Patrick Liles could face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.

The three defendants are scheduled to appear in the Sixth Circuit Court in Hooksett on Feb. 29.

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