Tuesday's raids on four different locations cap a year long investigation started by the United States Humane Society.  At least 50 of 150 dogs, mostly pit bulls, seized in the raids were taken to the Pima Animal Care Center on Tuesday.  One had teeth missing.  Others had swollen necks from being tied out.  PACC officials told Fox 11 they had to send animals to the Humane Society to make room for the dogs. 

Authorities say Tuesday’s raids was one of the biggest dog fighting busts to happen in the country.  Law enforcement this morning raided four homes total. There were three homes in Pima County - one on West Orange Grove near Sandario, one on Indian Kitchen Poad, one on Placita Chivato. The last was a house on Helen Street near Sarnoff in the city of Tucson.

The biggest raid was on West Orange Grove near Sandario.  Authorities found 110 pit bulls, 50 firearms, and arrested two people.  One of them, Mahlon Patrick, is one of the country's biggest breeders of fighting dogs.  John Goodwin, of the Humane Society of the United States was one of the people that helped research and investigate Pima County’s dog fighting ring.  Goodwin says the investigation started in March of 2007 after they tipped off Sheriff's Deputies about the ring’s operation in Pima County. 

“These people were obsessed with dog fighting,” says Goodwin.  “Some of the people that we've identified as leaders in this particular ring of dog fighters have been active for decades going back to the 1970's.”

By the end of the day authorities made six arrests, seized 150 dogs, confiscated 50 firearms, $10,000 cash along with various dog fighting equipment such as treadmills for training and rape stands for breeding.

Neighbors close by the house on Helen Street said they heard a loud bang and saw authorities at the house around 6:30 in the morning. Many were shocked to hear dog fighting breeders lived just a few doors down.

“I live here for 15 years…I never seen or heard anything like this before,” says a woman who didn’t want to reveal her identity.

“I hope that will send a message to other people involved in this to get out now,” says Goodwin.

More dogs will be sent to Pima Animal Care Center over the next couple days as authorities finish their investigation. They will be held there as evidence until a judge determines who will take ownership of them.