CLAYTON, N.C. — Some Johnston County neighbors are concerned that a dogfighting ring could be operating nearby. Dead dogs have turned up on the side of the road showing injuries consistant with fighting.

A man who said he wished to remain anonymous said he believes nine dogs that were dumped in the area were used for dogfighting.

"You can tell it had been fighting by the scars and fur missing around its neck," he said about one dog.

The man also documented what he saw by taking pictures, but when he called the Johnston County Sheriff's Office to complain, he would not leave his name or address, so an official report was never filed. When WRAL contacted the sheriff's office, a detective was immediately put on the case.

"We have had some reports of dogfighting rings," Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said.

However, Bizzell said those reports never panned out, but he knows the signs and will go after the culprits. He wants anyone with information about dogfights to contact the sheriff's office.