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Polk County man arrested, accused of beating two dogs with sledgehammer

 
Published Oct. 18, 2015

A man was arrested Saturday afternoon after allegedly beating two dogs with a sledgehammer, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Tad Whitworth, 49, was charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty, authorities said. He was arrested at a residence at Lake Kotsa Drive east of Lake Wales, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The two dogs are now in the care of the SPCA of Lakeland and Whitworth will have a first appearance hearing around 9 a.m. Sunday, authorities said.