BALL GROUND, Ga. (AP) -- Authorities in Cherokee County say a man has been arrested on animal cruelty charges after 19 dogs and a cat were removed from his home.<br />
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Investigators arrested 55-year-old Rud Tietjen Wednesday on 20 counts of animal cruelty. Susan Garcia, of the county animal shelter, told WGCL-TV that the animals housed in the man's Ball Ground home were emaciated, anemic and covered in fleas.<br />
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Investigators say a tip about barking and a smell emanating from Tietjen's property led investigators to the man and they found dog carcasses, bones, rancid meat and feces scattered across his property.<br />
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Garcia says the dogs are expected to make a full recovery and are not yet available for adoption.<br />
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It's unclear if Teitjen has an attorney.
