Authorities in North Carolina have seized 23 dogs in a raid prompted by a tip that the canines showed bite marks and other injuries associated with dog fighting, the mayor of Huntersville announced.
Mayor Jill Swain said police and animal cruelty officials seized the dogs and equipment and tools used to train dogs to fight.
CNN affiliate WSOC of nearby Charlotte said there were seven puppies recovered.
Kathryn Destrezea of the ASPCA told the station the dogs would be examined for health and behavioral issues and her group would get them to a place where they could be comfortable.
Photos taken by the ASPCA show some of the adult dogs living in muddy conditions, tied to long chains.
Some of the dogs had broken teeth, some had scars and some were very thin, WSOC reported, citing investigators.