Fifteen tethered dogs were found at 84 Jefferson Street today, at least two of them with what appeared to be visible scars from fighting, police said.

Moseley watches a DVD.

Reporters observed police taking DVD’s from the house, which had scenes from dogfights on them. Police watched some in their in-car computers.

At this time no arrests have been made but police are still searching the house and no names have been released.

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Nine of the dogs were tethered in the woods beside the house, which is not associated with the property the house is on, authorities said.

Roanoke Rapids Animal Control Officer Arthur Sizemore said he received a report this morning from Sergeant Mike Moseley of two dogs being tethered near the house as he was checking the dump where leaves are deposited.

Dogs in the woods.

When Sizemore went to investigate, he discovered the other dogs in the woods. “I’m surprised the neighbors haven’t complained.”

Dogs are not allowed to be tethered in the city and there are laws that govern the number that can be penned before a permit must be obtained from the city. Another question remains whether the dogs have received rabies vaccinations.

A source familiar with animal fighting issues said the dogs appear to be used primarily as breeding dogs. “He wouldn’t risk tethering these pit bulls on chains if they didn’t mean anything to him.”

A dog in the pen.

The source said the dogs in the woods were spread out just enough to get agitated with one another.

Roanoke Rapids Narcotics Agent Jamie Hardy said the way the dogs were tethered, with heavy chains attached to metal stakes placed deep in the ground, is consistent with dogfighting.

Other undisclosed evidence was brought out of the house.