A Hall County man remained in jail early Wednesday afternoon after being arrested Tuesday following a welfare check that led authorities to a dog they say was living in squalid conditions.
County Animal Control officers were dispatched after a report that a small dog appeared malnourished, was confined to a crate containing feces, had not been fed for days, and was routinely kept in the crate. The caller also reported unsanitary conditions inside the home, including animal feces, trash and human waste.
According to the incident report, officers made contact with Jeremiah Miller, who showed them the dog, identified as “Tucker.” The dog reportedly appeared underweight and was covered in feces.
Investigators said Miller allowed them inside the residence, where they found a wire crate in the kitchen with no food or water and what appeared to be urine in the bottom of the crate.
Miller told authorities that the dog had been left in his and his wife’s care after his parents departed about two weeks earlier. He initially claimed the dog’s condition had developed over the previous two or three days but later stated the dog had been in that condition for a couple of weeks, according to the report.
Miller also told officers he had been away attending truck driver school and that his wife was responsible for caring for the dog while he was gone.
The responding officers decided to arrest Miller on an animal cruelty charge and said a warrant would also be sought for his wife.