A MAN and woman will appear before a court over the mistreating of 44 dogs.

Deborah Fuller and Phil Sheldrake, of Harwich Road, Lawford, face 16 charges related to the health and wellbeing of 42 Rhodesian ridgebacks and two Hamiltonstövare dogs.

They jointly face four charges of causing unnecessary suffering and 12 charges of failing to meet the welfare needs of the dogs.

They will stand trial on January 21 at Colchester Magistrates Court.