A Roanoke Rapids man who also maintains a residence in Stony Creek, Virginia, has been charged on dogfighting counts and city ordinance violations dealing with the keeping of dogs.

Kenneth Lewis Brooks, 49, turned himself into Roanoke Rapids police today following an investigation Wednesday that led to the discovery of several dogs being tethered in the woods beside his house at 84 Jefferson Street.

Brooks faces 15 counts of dog baiting; 11 citations for violation of the city code that forbids tethering and he was cited for not having a permit to keep more than three dogs on his property.

Brooks received a $150,000 bond — $10,000 for each baiting count — Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said. He has a May 23 court date.

Brooks talks with officers Wednesday.

The 11 tethering citations carry a possible of fine of up to $5,500.

The charge of baiting means that Brooks allegedly owned, possessed or trained a dog to be used in the exhibition of baiting the dogs or the fighting and training of the dogs.

Beyond the DVD’s reporters saw being carried from the house Wednesday, which contained videos of dogfighting, Jackson declined to discuss the other evidence that led officers to charge Brooks.

Jackson also declined to discuss what bloodlines the dogs have, although non-law enforcement sources say they are from the Garner bloodline, which is well known in weight pulling as well as dogfighting circles.

One of the tethered dogs.

Asked about the status of the 15 dogs, Jackson said Brooks said five of them are missing and possibly stolen. Police are investigating his claim.

The remaining dogs have been removed from the property to be properly sheltered.

The dogs were discovered Wednesday morning when Roanoke Rapids Animal Control Officer Arthur Sizemore said he received a report from Sergeant Mike Moseley of two dogs being tethered near the house as he was checking the dump where leaves are deposited.

When Sizemore went to investigate, he discovered the other dogs in the woods.