Jim Michael Velez Diaz, 21, and Katelynn Marie Mercier, 19, both of Minot Air Force Base, are each charged in district court in Ward County with five counts of Class C felony animal cruelty.

Both are scheduled to make initial appearances on the charges on June 20.

According to court documents, the Ward County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of animal neglect at their home on May 26 and found two dead, malnourished dogs and a number of other dogs that were malnourished. The home was reportedly in disarray and covered in garbage, animal urine and feces. The living animals were released to the Souris Valley Animal Shelter. Veterinarian Dr. Logan Wood told police that the two deceased dogs died of malnourishment, according to the law enforcement affidavit.