Two people were charged after a dog was found dead after being left tied to a railing at the back of a St. Catharines residence Wednesday.

Niagara Regional Police said the 14-month-old mixed breed dog died from asphyxiation, and had been there for two or three hours by the time officers arrived at 6 a.m.

The incident occurred in the Welland Avenue and Clark Street area, behind Midtown Plaza.

An NRP spokesperson said police don't believe there were other animals at the property. Lincoln County Humane Society is also involved in the investigation.

Robert Ripley, 28, and Tanya Keddy, 46, were both charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Ripley was also charged with failure to comply with a probation order.