A dog breeder has been charged by RCMP after five "severely malnourished" dogs were seized from his Clarke's Beach home last month.

Bay Roberts RCMP responded to an animal cruelty complaint on April 27, and seized five dogs, one of them pregnant.

The 55-year-old man has since been charged for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and for animal neglect.

He was released from custody under conditions not to possess or own an animal.

The seized dogs have been placed in the care of the Baccalieu Trail SPCA and are recovering in their foster homes, RCMP said.

In response to inquiries made to RCMP, police said the dogs are not currently up for adoption.

The man is scheduled to appear in provincial court on Aug. 7.

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