A Franklin Township couple have been charged for animal cruelty after not providing treatment to two dogs who went missing a month earlier.
On June 14, two dogs who were in poor shape were found along Old Route 422 and turned over to the Butler County Humane Society.
22-year-old Deanna Birckbichler and 23-year-old Timothy Lavery came forward as owners of the dogs. They claimed the dogs went missing a month ago when they left town for a weekend and spent two weeks searching for the two dogs.
Due to the state of the 3-year-old and 4-year-old dogs, Birckbichler and Lavery were ordered to seek medical care for the dogs. Police say that did not happen, and after nearly a month of not seeking care, both are now charged. The dogs have been placed at imminent risk to serious bodily injury.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 26.
