CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Seven people from North and South Carolina have been arrested and face dogfighting charges after a joint investigation by deputies in Berkeley and Florence counties.
Berkeley County sheriff's Capt. Whilden Baggett told The Post and Courier of Charleston that officers also seized $14,000 in cash, a gun, 19 dogs and six puppies in Saturday's arrests.
Five men were from the Charleston area, two were from the Florence area and one was from Raleigh, N.C.
Baggett says investigators were still sorting through information to determine individual charges.
If convicted of felony dogfighting charges, the men could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. A misdemeanor conviction has a maximum penalty of $500 and six months in prison.
The dogs will be examined by a local animal shelter.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)