Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said Champion, 24, of Maria Avenue, was jailed on $25,000 bond. A court date was not immediately available.
He faces three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and four felony counts reflecting that he allegedly maliciously allowed the dogs to fight, which caused severe injuries.
Jackson said the narcotics unit, along with Halifax County Animal Control, continues to investigate where the fighting allegedly occurred.
While around 30 pit bulls were on his property at 238 Maria Avenue, only 14 were taken to the Halifax County Animal Shelter, which only has room for 36.
Those with the worst injuries were taken to the shelter and are being held as evidence. The rest remain at his property and may be sent to other areas, Jackson said.
Champion was charged earlier with tethering of dogs, rabies tags violation and not having a permit to keep three or more dogs.
Narcotics Agent Jamie Hardy said Monday it was clear some of the dogs were used in fighting because paraphernalia such as penicillin, iodine and rehydration systems were found at the scene.
One puppy was found dead on top of a kennel and one mother was trying to chew through a chain link fence to get to her pups, he said. One dog’s ear was ripped and was just beginning to heal.
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