IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — More than a dozen people are wanted on charges connected to a dogfighting ring east of Statesville, investigators said.
People there ran into the woods when the deputies arrived at a location in a remote area on Sena Lane where they believe dogfighting took place.
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There were about 20 cars parked in a field that also had hanging scales used to weigh the dogs before the fights.
Deputies also found a list of fights scheduled for Saturday night.
“It’s an unbelievable amount of cruelty to the animals,” said Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell. “The fight is especially barbaric. It was in a pit with a weigh-in station and other things.”
Thirteen people from Charlotte, Mooresville, Lenoir, Greensboro, and Statesville face charges of felony dog fighting and conspiracy.
Gurtha Falice lives nearby and said she was sad to hear about possible dogfighting so close to her home.
“They kill each other,” Falice told Channel 9. “One gets hurt and the other one dies and sometimes they say both of them die so it really -- it doesn’t make sense.”
Iredell Animal Services officials have been evaluating the dogs after they were seized.
They are working with rescue groups to find the dogs new homes.
Officer Jimmy Ball, with Iredell Animal Services, said, “40% to 60% of dogs that are bait dogs or fighting dogs typically can be rehabilitated and adopted out.”
Channel 9 spoke with someone who said he used to be involved in dogfighting.
He said he did it for the money
Bets on the illegal fights, such as the one discovered on Sena Lane, can bring in tens of thousands of dollars.
The investigation is ongoing.
(WATCH BELOW: One month after massive dogfighting bust, SC animal shelters remain overcrowded)
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