HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — A Hernando County Sheriff's Office's Animal Enforcement Officer found two dead dogs that were dumped in the area of Plymouth Rock Drive and Wilford Street in Ridge Manor.
The dogs were both partially covered in black plastic garbage bags and the bodies were in the "early stages of decomposition."
The officer saw the male dog has severe head injuries and a gunshot wound to his head. The body showed signs of being put in a freezer before being dumped. A female dog was found with no obvious signs of injury but what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head, the officer said.
Both were described as pit bulls.
A patrol deputy responded for a criminal investigation after the gunshot wounds were discovered.
Deputies think the dogs were used in dog fighting in Hernando County and once the owner saw no use of the dogs, they were dumped. Deputies believe the person responsible could be from outside the area since the bodies were found in a remote area close to other counties.
Past investigations found other people had traveled from as far as other states to dump dogs used in dogfighting. Dogs have been previously dumped in the same area, some still alive and suffering from injuries that appeared to be from dogfighting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hernando County Sheriff's Office at (352) 754-6830. You can also submit an anonymous tip through Hernando County Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-866-990-8477.
The investigation is ongoing.