Fulton County Animal Services walked several dogs out of an Atlanta home Thursday around noon. Officers also carried some of the dogs out.
"We're taking them all," Tim Poorman with Animal Services said.
Officers impounded 11 dogs that they say were abused and left in cages with no food or water.
“The only water that I saw today was rainwater and no food present,” Poorman said.
Animal Services said some of the dogs were left chained up, which Poorman said is illegal in Fulton County.
Authorities found out about the dogs after getting a call about an emu on the loose. The emu is getting credit for helping save the dogs.
Officers said they tried to find the owner of the dogs for three days. When they had no luck, they decided to remove the animals.
“Hopefully the owner comes forward and makes himself known so we can prosecute him,” Poorman said.
A neighbor watched officers remove the animals and defended the owner.
“That man came over twice a day to feed these dogs,” she said. The neighbor added that the owner takes good care of them, even though he moved away.
Officers dispute that claim, but the neighbor pointed out the dogs don't look malnourished.
“(The) dogs are healthy,” she said.
Officers said the owner will be cited for animal cruelty and tethering.
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