Graham -
Nearly two dozen pit bulls may have to be euthanized after Pierce County Sheriff's bust a suspected dog fighting ring.
Deputies found 22 of the dogs chained at a property in Graham. The animals are now at the Tacoma Humane Society.
Detective Ed Troyer says deputies were called to the home in the 9000 block of 228th St. East on a domestic violence call.
"It started off with a man waving a gun and making threats, but as deputies made their way around the property they started seeing things that didn't add up," says Troyer. Investigators found a treadmill with a dog leash attached, confiscated syringes, antibiotics and literature on giving supplements to fighting dogs. "The dogs had fresh wounds and old wounds. Some had broken bones they tried to fix to get them to fight again. It's torture is what it was, says Troyer.
Besides the dogs, deputies say they found marijuana plants on the property and weapons. They aren't sure if the dogs were fighting there, or being taken elsewhere but because of their demeanor, investigators say the animals may not survive.
"A dog that spent its life chained up to an igloo in the backyard would have to be euthanized," says Kathleen Olson with the Tacoma Humane Society.
While on the property, deputies made another discovery.
"We saw dogs deceased in the bushes rotted down to the bone. They were just throwing them in the woods and tossing them off to the side," says Troyer.
Neighbors we talked with were afraid to go on camera in fear of retaliation. They told us they have seen people on the property with rifles.
Authorities are not releasing the name of the man who was arrested. They say he's being held on suspicion of domestic violence.
Deputies found 22 of the dogs chained at a property in Graham. The animals are now at the Tacoma Humane Society.
Detective Ed Troyer says deputies were called to the home in the 9000 block of 228th St. East on a domestic violence call.
"It started off with a man waving a gun and making threats, but as deputies made their way around the property they started seeing things that didn't add up," says Troyer. Investigators found a treadmill with a dog leash attached, confiscated syringes, antibiotics and literature on giving supplements to fighting dogs. "The dogs had fresh wounds and old wounds. Some had broken bones they tried to fix to get them to fight again. It's torture is what it was, says Troyer.
Besides the dogs, deputies say they found marijuana plants on the property and weapons. They aren't sure if the dogs were fighting there, or being taken elsewhere but because of their demeanor, investigators say the animals may not survive.
"A dog that spent its life chained up to an igloo in the backyard would have to be euthanized," says Kathleen Olson with the Tacoma Humane Society.
While on the property, deputies made another discovery.
"We saw dogs deceased in the bushes rotted down to the bone. They were just throwing them in the woods and tossing them off to the side," says Troyer.
Neighbors we talked with were afraid to go on camera in fear of retaliation. They told us they have seen people on the property with rifles.
Authorities are not releasing the name of the man who was arrested. They say he's being held on suspicion of domestic violence.
