Lurgan dog deaths: charged man due in court as questions mount over welfare reports

Questions are being asked about the handling of animal-welfare reports in Lurgan after two abandoned dogs were found dead inside an empty home, with a 47-year-old man now charged in connection with the animals’ deaths.

The dogs had been living in what was described as shocking conditions at a property in the County Armagh town. Police ultimately found their decaying remains locked inside crates. One dog’s tooth was found wrapped around the bars of its cage, apparently after it tried to escape.

Infestations of flies were also discovered inside the property. The Belfast Telegraph reported that the animals had starved to death.

Residents reported barking and a growing smell

Local residents said they began hearing barking from the abandoned house over several weeks in March. Concerns were raised with both police and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Residents also noticed a smell developing around June or July. One man described the odour as “death”. The source report said the dogs continued barking until May.

Speaking to the BBC’s Nolan Show, a local resident and neighbour identified as Philip said he contacted police around eight times. He also said he contacted the council repeatedly, including its dog warden and Animal Welfare Department.

“This was around the 14th or 15th of March, they said ‘thank you, we will get someone to investigate this’.”

Philip said he could not understand how the situation had been allowed to happen and claimed the report was not acted on quickly enough by council officials.

Man charged over alleged animal-welfare offences

The PSNI said a 47-year-old man had been charged with abandoning an animal and causing unnecessary suffering to animals. He is due to appear before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 9 September.

The source article did not state whether the accused had entered a plea. The charges have not been tested in court and the case is due to proceed through the magistrates’ court.

The discovery has prompted wider scrutiny of the actions taken after residents raised concerns. Local DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said “serious questions” remained and confirmed he had written to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and housing managing company Arbour Housing seeking answers.

Mr Buckley said the charges were welcome but did not resolve questions about what happened during the months before the dogs were found. He said residents believed their reports were being acted on and that the animals’ welfare was being investigated.

“If reports were made, what action was taken? When were they received? Who was responsible for following them up? Were visits carried out, and if so, what was found? Were other agencies contacted or information shared?”

He said any shortcomings in the response needed to be explained and that lessons should be identified to prevent a repeat.

Council and housing provider responses

The council told the Nolan Show that it could not comment on the specific circumstances while police enquiries were continuing.

“As police enquiries are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific circumstance of the matter at this stage.”

Arbour Housing said it had been contacted within the previous two weeks and that members of its team visited the property. They said they could not gain entry and could not make contact with the tenant, so, in line with standard protocol, the matter was referred for a welfare check.

The housing provider said it later received correspondence from the tenant confirming that all was well and closed its case.

Mr Buckley said he would also meet the PSNI urgently to discuss the circumstances and seek clarity about reports brought to police attention. He said public confidence depended on credible animal-welfare concerns being taken seriously and followed through.

He added that the deaths should not disappear from public attention and called for accountability, answers and lessons from the case. Residents in Armagh and the wider borough will now await the court proceedings and any further explanation from the authorities involved.