23 dogs rescued during winter storm in suspected Aliquippa fighting ring

Nearly two dozen dogs were rescued after several were found chained outside in Aliquippa during the winter storm, the Beaver County Humane Society announced on Tuesday.

The humane society is now caring for the 23 dogs, which were believed to be involved in illegal fighting activity. Officers said they were found outside on Saturday, injured and "heavily chained" with no access to shelter, food or water. 

The investigation began after the humane society learned there were several complaints about dogs kept outside during the massive winter storm. 

"After clearing a path to the residence, we learned that the resident was not present at the property, but we could hear multiple dogs crying and screaming from behind the property, clearly in distress," humane society police officer Wendi Stafford said in a press release. 

The humane society said the dogs were found in the back of the property, shaking and lethargic, which are behaviors consistent with prolonged cold exposure and hypothermia. Some of the dogs were also visibly injured and needed immediate medical care, rescuers said. 

The Beaver County Humane Society and Aliquippa police started removing the dogs, but because of the winter storm and strong winds, it took more than five hours to get the dogs to safety. 

DA describes evidence of dog fighting ring

Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible said there's proof this wasn't just neglect, but an active dog fighting ring operating out of the basement. 

"Not only is there someone in this county that's capable of doing that, but people are obviously coming to watch it and bet on it or whatever," Bible said. "It makes me sick, honestly."

Bible said about a dozen dogs were first found chained outside in the backyard of this home during the height of Sunday's snowstorm. After obtaining a search warrant, about a dozen more dogs were found inside, leading authorities to the evidence of dog fighting.

"Once the humane officer got down into the basement and saw the dog fighting ring that was set up, blood on the walls of the dog fighting ring, different types of medication that are indicative of dog fighting," Bible said. 

He said charges are expected as soon as next week, and that multiple people would be charged. While Bible said Pennsylvania's animal cruelty laws don't go far enough, hle plans to pursue the strongest charges possible. 

Humane society says dogs need a lot of care 

The humane society said some of the dogs required emergency surgery, and others face a long and complex rehabilitation. It is asking people to consider volunteering or donating to help care for the dogs. 

Rescuers said the dogs, which are all pitbull mixes ranging in age from puppies to 5 years old, were living in cramped, filthy conditions, kept in crates, surrounded by urine and feces.

Most of the other dogs showed signs of old injuries, including broken bones that never healed properly, scratches, bruises, bite injuries and malnourishment. Shelter officials said many of the dogs will need months of care.

"It was very overwhelming when we first got there to realize how many dogs were being kept but also just the condition and also their behavior," shelter manager Cailin Smith Rankin said. "They were surprisingly very happy to see us, tails wagging, you could hear thumping tails all throughout the property." 

The humane society is asking anyone who'd like to help to consider volunteering, fostering or donating.