Roanoke Rapids, N.C. — A Roanoke Rapids man faces more than two dozen animal-related charges in connection with a dogfighting investigation.

Police patrolling Jefferson Street Wednesday morning stopped at the home of Kenneth Brooks after seeing two pit bulls tethered in his back yard, which is a violation of a Roanoke Rapids city ordinance.

While investigating, the officer said he noticed nine other pit bulls tethered in a pit and several more in kennels on an adjacent wooded property.

Police suspect Brooks, 49, of 84 Jefferson St., was getting the animals ready for a dog fight.

Investigators charged him with 15 felony counts of dog baiting and 11 misdemeanor counts of tethering a dog.

While police were in the process of finding a place to house the dogs, Brooks reported to investigators on Thursday that someone had stolen five of them.

Police are still investigating the case, as well as Brooks' claims.

He surrender to authorities Friday afternoon and was jailed on a $150,000 bond.

The remaining dogs, meanwhile, are being kept at the Halifax County animal shelter.