Pets were left alone in a house for days after their owner died.

Police were called to the home in Grange Road, Strood after the man was found dead on Monday.

But his two dogs were left alone in the property until Wednesday evening.

Neighbours raised concerns after they heard the animals barking and crying in the house.

Diane Rowland lives just two doors away from the home and contacted the police and the RSPCA about the animals.

Mrs Rowland was shocked that the animals were left for two days.

She said: “We could hear them crying and barking. The police locked the dogs in so they couldn’t get out and we couldn’t get in to feed or water them.”

After two days of the animals being left alone, RSPCA officers attended and removed two dogs, one cat and a number of fish.

A spokesman said: “We were made aware of a number of animals who had been left unattended in a house in Grange Road, Rochester, following the sad death of their owner.

“Two dogs, one cat and a number of fish were removed from the property and have been signed over to the RSPCA by the man's next of kin.

“They are now being looked after by staff at an RSPCA centre. An officer has set a trap to capture a second cat which also belonged to the man."

You can report any concerns over animal welfare on www.rspca.org.uk.