Two men have been arrested after authorities say they found dozens of pit bulls living in "deplorable" conditions at an apparent dog fight training facility in Brooksville.
Hernando County sheriff's deputies said in a news release that the investigation began Sunday when they found a severely injured dog in a cage without food or water.
A veterinarian later determined the dog was recently used as bait during dog fights.
Officials visited another Brooksville property, where they removed 19 dogs and two puppies this week. They say some of the animals were caged and attached to heavy chains. No food was found.
Numerous items indicative of training dogs for fighting were discovered.
Sixty-two-year-old James Harris and 53-year-old Darrell Smith are facing animal cruelty charges. It's unclear whether they have attorneys.