The Troup County Marshals, Troup County Sheriff’s Department and LaGrange Police Department are investigating possible dog fighting on the 3000 block of Roanoke Road.

When officers arrived, there were 20 pit bulls on the property, along with dog fighting paraphernalia in plain sight. According to the police report, a sophisticated spring pole system was set up using two trees, a pallet and pullets. The report said it appeared several dogs could be attached to the spring pole system at one time. A spring pole is a device that conditions a dog for fighting by building up its neck and jaw muscles. The dog bites and holds onto for an extended amount of time.

There were also several weights attached to the spring pole, along with needles, syringes, medicine and a break stick. A break stick is used to pry open a dog’s mouth in order to break up a fight.

All 20 pit bulls were removed from the property and transported to the animal shelter at 1:30 p.m. The intake process for the dogs took four hours total and the shelter was temporarily closed to the public. A veterinarian came by to examine the dogs.

No one has been arrested, according to the police report.