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Dogfighting raid in N. Phila. nets mutts and more

Authorities raided a North Philadelphia house believed to be involved in dogfighting and found 11 dogs Friday afternoon - and nearly 60 possibly stolen bicycles in the basement.

The state SPCA's director of law enforcement, George Bengal, was on the scene to help remove the dogs. Police suspect the nearly 60 bicycles were stolen. ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Staff Photographer
The state SPCA's director of law enforcement, George Bengal, was on the scene to help remove the dogs. Police suspect the nearly 60 bicycles were stolen. ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Staff PhotographerRead more

Authorities raided a North Philadelphia house believed to be involved in dogfighting and found 11 dogs Friday afternoon - and nearly 60 possibly stolen bicycles in the basement.

Officers from the Pennsylvania SPCA rescued 11 pit bulls, including one puppy, from a house in the 2200 block of West Lehigh Avenue, said PSPCA spokeswoman Wendy A. Marano.

One man was arrested and another person was being sought, Marano said. The agency received a tip from an informant and then conducted surveillance on the property before the raid.

Humane law officers recovered a treadmill used to train fighting dogs and other paraphernalia, including injectable drugs typically used in dogfighting, Marano said. A computer and paperwork also were seized.

During the search of the property, officers found a cache of bikes in two basement rooms, Marano said. The bikes, believed to be stolen, were taken as evidence by city police.