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.

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.

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.

Garcia said the dogs are expected to make a full recovery and are not yet available for adoption.

It's unclear if Teitjen has an attorney.

Ball Ground is about 50 miles north of downtown Atlanta.