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More Than A Dozen Dogs Rescued From Dog Fighting Ring

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BARTOW, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — More than a dozen dogs were rescued from a dog fighting ring run out of a Bartow bar weeks after the alleged organizers had been arrested.

Polk County Sheriff's deputies found blood stained carpet near the ring and several dogs tied with heavy logging chains to strengthen their necks for fighting. Many of the dogs had recent wounds from fights.

Hewitt Grant Jr. and Nickie Sanders were arrested last month on multiple counts of animal cruelty related to their dog fighting operation. Grant has a 2006 injunction that prohibits him from owning dogs.

On Friday, officials returned to the couple's home and rescued 18 more dogs.

Sixty-nine dogs were seized in the initial arrest, but that number grew to 98 because some had puppies. In total, 77 were rescued.

The rescues will be rehabilitated and made available for adoption.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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