Three malnourished pit bulls are being assessed by a local veterinarian after they were seized Wednesday from a house on West Street in Texarkana, Ark.
"They were extremely malnourished and were down to eating any vegetation they could reach, like briars," said Texarkana Animal Care and Adoption Center Director Charles Lokey.
Officials have a person of interest in the case that they are trying to make contact with, Lokey said. The house has possibly been abandoned.
The charges will be at least three counts of gross animal neglect and violation of the city's no chain ordinance. It is possible the charges could also include felony animal cruelty, Lokey said.
Animal Control was notified about the situation Tuesday. Animal control officers responded, gave the dogs some food and fresh water and left a note for the resident to contact them. No one made contact and when the officers returned to check on the dogs Wednesday, they made the decision to seize the animals.
"When I saw what I saw, I said to pull them right now," Lokey said.
A letter of seizure was left on the property and the dogs were taken directly to the vet.
There was evidence on the property that the dogs had been used in fighting.
There was also evidence that a horse had been at the location but it was not there Tuesday or Wednesday.
Lokey encourages anyone that suspects animal cruelty to contact their local law enforcement agency or animal control office immediately.