SAN DIEGO – Authorities seized 10 pit bulls suspected of being used in dogfights from the yard of a Ramona home Wednesday morning.

The dogs, ranging in age from 6 months to 5 years old, were found separated from one another in kennels or chained to poles at the home on Boundary Avenue near Royal Vista Drive, said Lt. Dan DeSousa, supervising animal control officer for county Department of Animal Services.

DeSousa said many of them bore scars on their faces and front legs that indicated they had been in dog fights.

Officers also found paraphernalia used in dogfighting such as treadmills, medications and syringes, trophies and fight schedules, as well as several photos of dogs, videos and DVDs, DeSousa said.

County animal control officers were tipped off about the animals by someone concerned that they were used in dog fights, DeSousa said.

This was the second time authorities had been on the property, DeSousa said. In January, they went to the home after a complaint that there were too many dogs at the home.

Agents worked with the owner to reduce the number of dogs to six, DeSousa said.

The homeowner was not home during Wednesday's seizures and has not been charged.

DeSousa said that authorities will review all the evidence taken and present it to the District Attorney's Office, which will determine whether to file charges.

The dogs' owner could face felony dogfighting and cruelty to animal charges as well as several misdemeanor charges, DeSousa said.

All of the seized dogs were taken to a county animal shelter in Carlsbad where they will remain until the outcome of the case, DeSousa said. The dogs were apparently healthy, but some were found with their chains entangled around stakes.

DeSousa said that authorities suspect that the owner was involved in local fights that take place in Southern California. He said the fights are “very, very secretive.”

The dogs are matched according to weight and size and face off against each other in rings normally in enclosed rooms. Their owners hold them until the referee signals and then the animals are unleashed upon each other. The battles can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to as long as an hour, DeSousa said.

“The dogs want to please their owners,” DeSousa said. “I've seen videos of dogs with broken legs still trying to fight.”

Owners and onlookers make bets on what dog will triumph. The prize can be thousands of dollars, DeSousa said.

The animals can be seriously injured and in some cases killed, their ears can be bitten off and their throats torn.

Wounded animals are usually not taken to veterinarians, but are treated by their owners who will often suture wounds themselves. Injured dogs that are considered weak are often discarded by the side of the road or even thrown in the garbage, DeSousa said.

The animals are generally easily handled – because they are trained to only attack other dogs – but it is too early to determine if they can ever be adopted, DeSousa said.

The animals can be worth thousands of dollars and are often bred for their fighting bloodlines.

DeSousa said the owners often contend that the animal are part of the family.

“They say they love their dogs,” DeSousa said. “That just confounds me to no end.”

Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and is a felony in most states, including California.

DeSousa said there are three basic types of dogfighting rings: professionals, which is made up of people who travel across the country to high-stakes, organized matches; hobbyists, which includes people who fight their dogs locally; and street fighters, usually made up of kids or gang members who get together and let their dogs fight.

One of the most celebrated cases of dogfighting involved former pro NFL player Michael Vick. Vick was sentenced in December to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting operation. He pled guilty to bankrolling the operation and personally taking part in the execution of six to eight dogs.

The Atlanta Falcons' star quarterback was once one of the highest paid players in the league with a $130 million contract. When he was sentenced he apologized to the court and to his family for his role in the operation.

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