Texas officials target dogfighting ring

HOUSTON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A yearlong investigation into dogfighting has led to charges against 55 people and the seizure of more than 100 dogs in Texas, officials said.

Harris County officials said they have broken up what they called one of the largest dogfighting rings in the nation, the Houston Chronicle reported Friday.

The Houston SPCA received a warrant early Friday morning to seize the dogs from a property in Tyler County, an SPCA spokeswoman said.

The investigators reportedly found the charred skeletal remains of a dog and dogfighting paraphernalia, including a treadmill, and videos identifying various fighting matches at the site.

The District Attorney's Office said 41 felony charges have been filed in the case. Defendants convicted of dogfighting could be sentenced to up to two years in a state jail.