Authorities rescue dogs from suspected fighting ring in South Philadelphia

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Thirteen dogs, including 8 pit bull puppies, have been removed from a home after police raided a suspected dog fighting operation in South Philadelphia.

Neighbors called police around midnight regarding suspicious activity inside a house on the 2200 block of Mifflin Street.

No one was there when officers arrived. But they did find dogs inside: 8 pit bill puppies, some of them scarred, and 5 adult dogs. One dog was missing an eye.

"I'm just glad we were able to rescue these," said George Bengal of the Pennsylvania SPCA. "Each place you go like this just saves another dog from a fighting ring."

Investigators said some of the dogs were in filthy wire cages, and others were tethered to radiators by short, heavy chains. They said blood was found throughout the house.

"The way these animals were chained in almost every room in the house... these dogs couldn't get away," said Bengal. "So they were constantly whacking their tails into the walls and the radiators and that was causing a lot of the blood spatter."

The dogs are now in the care of a veterinarian at the PSPCA.

Humane law enforcement officers believe a dog fighting breeding and training operation had been running at the home for at least several years.

Police say it is unclear any fighting was actually done at the home.

Two treadmills were carried out. Officials explained the dogs would be chained to train on the devices.

Investigators also found syringes they say they were likely used to give the dogs steroids.

Despite this, neighbors on the block told Action News that while the man who lives in the house did train dogs, he never fought them.

Police have issued a warrant for the owner of the house, and charges are pending. Authorities say they have been in touch with his attorney.

They say the investigation is ongoing.