CHICORA — It was not exactly a dog-ate-my-homework defense, but a Butler County man's explanation for having bags and plants of marijuana at his home had a similar ring to it.

Wayne R. Graham Jr. said it was there to help his sick dog, authorities said.

“Graham related that he does not smoke marijuana,” according to an affidavit filed by a state police vice officer, “and only grows it to feed his dog that has arthritis.”

Police arrested the 58-year-old Muddy Creek Township man in connection with the two-year-old investigation.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton of Chicora Thursday arraigned Graham on charges of felony and misdemeanor drug possession. He was later released on his own recognizance.

The 2015 investigation began after aerial surveillance spotted suspected marijuana plants on property at a home on Poganski Lane in Washington Township. On Sept. 17, 2015, two officers went to the home and found Graham, according to court documents.

The defendant subsequently led police to a garden where they found two marijuana plants. One additional plant was found in a nearby cornfield.

When officers asked Graham if he had any processed marijuana in the house, he acknowledged he did. Graham's wife, who lives at the home, gave her consent so police could search the house.

The search turned up three plastic baggies containing marijuana, and a tin pan with more processed marijuana and a marijuana plant stem. Police said Graham admitted he owned all the marijuana.

Graham's preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 14. He could not be reached for comment.

Documents did not indicate why it took so long to file charges in the case. Police, when contacted, would only say they needed time to complete their investigation while handling their other case work.