Police have charged a 47-year-old man after two dogs were found dead at a property in Lurgan, County Armagh. The charges are abandoning an animal and causing unnecessary suffering to animals. He is due to appear before Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 9 September, with the charges subject to review by the Public Prosecution Service.

Officers discovered the dogs at Sloanhill Court on Monday, 17 August. Police said they had received a number of calls about welfare concerns for pets at the address and that callers were directed to the Animal Welfare Officer at Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council, the statutory body responsible for investigating such reports.

Police had previously attended the property in March this year and carried out a check on the dogs after a welfare report. No concerns were noted at that time.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said residents had raised the alarm after noticing large numbers of flies coming from the property and fearing dogs had been left inside. She has requested an urgent meeting with the PSNI, the council and Arbour Housing and has asked police to take action over the cruelty and neglect of the animals.

Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley has written to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Arbour Housing seeking answers. He said he has spoken directly with residents who reported concerns to both the council's Animal Welfare Department and the PSNI. Buckley asked whether reports were acted on, if visits were carried out, and whether information was shared between agencies.

Sinn Féin councillor Mary O'Dowd, who sits on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, said the circumstances were deeply disturbing and that the animals appeared to have been left to die in appalling and squalid conditions. She said she would seek answers from the council and the PSNI and that any offences should be pursued through council enforcement or criminal prosecution.

Arbour Housing said it was contacted within the last two weeks about concerns regarding a tenant at one of its properties. A team visited the property but was unable to make contact with the tenant. The housing association later received correspondence from the tenant confirming he was occupying the property and was well, and the welfare referral was concluded. Arbour Housing said it continues to work with local authorities to investigate the incident.