Elizabeth City, N.C. - Two months after a massive dogfighting ring was discovered in Northeastern North Carolina - a Pasquotank grand jury handed down the first indictments in the case Monday.
Maurice Baum and Desmond White were both arrested back in February on federal drug charges and that's when evidence of the dogfighting ring was discovered.
Now each of those men has been indicted by the grand jury on multiple counts of dogfighting and baiting.
Baiting is when one dog is used to train another dog for fighting.
14 of the indictments are for dogs found on property off Millpond Road. Neighbors told NewsChannel 3 that they had seen a lot of dogs there, but they never had any idea that they were being used for fighting.
Two women were also indicted by the grand jury for their roles in the dogfighting ring.
Ladonna Price was indicted on dog fighting and baiting, and Lititia Butts was indicted on aiding and abetting dog fighting and baiting
The 80 dogs seized in the investigation were found at multiple locations in both Pequimans and Pasquotank counties.
It's one of the largest dogfighting rings ever discovered in the region and the SPCA says the dogs that were found scarred and injured are doing much better.
Each of the 80 dogs must be individually assessed before they can leave and be "re-homed."
So far, five of the dogs are now ready to be re-homed and the SPCA expects more to be ready in the coming weeks.
Related:
Dogs seized in NC dog fighting ring may get new homes soon
80 dogs rescued from alleged dogfighting ring in Pasquotank County
Here’s the Good News: NewsChannel 3 takes action for dogs at Elizabeth City SPCA
