PENDER COUNTY -- Earlier this month, authorities charged 10-men in connection to illegal dogfighting and selling narcotics in Onslow and Pender counties.

With more than 150 dogs seized, the Pender County Animal Shelter fears that some of those could be pets that disappeared from their homes. The animal shelter is encouraging people to contact them if they think their pet may have been involved.

"It’s heartbreaking as human beings that we find fun and sport in that. It’s heart wrenching to me for our community whose missing animals, to think that maybe your dog died in that situation, and you won’t have closure,” said Jewell Horton, Animal Shelter Manager.

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