DeKalb County authorities say they’ve busted up a dogfighting ring and rescued 18 animals.

An anonymous tip came in Dec. 29, leading officials to 4021 Cedar Grove Place in the Ellenwood area, DeKalb police Detective Jason Gagnon said. They found the dogs chained up to trees in the backyard of a home.

“Multiple dogs had bite wounds on the face, things consistent with dogfighting,” he said.

Chaketa Williams (left), Willie Dasher (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: undefined

icon to expand image

Credit: undefined

He said they also found treadmills, supplements and other items associated with dogfighting, including documents that appear to detail training regimens, dog performance and the dates of upcoming fights. Some of the information is written in code, which investigators are trying to crack.

It isn’t clear where the dogfighting was allegedly taking place. The home isn’t rural enough for it to have happened there, Gagnon said.

READFBI agent dragged by truck, driver shot outside Sandy Springs hotel

READWhy five Atlanta Child Murders cases are still unsolved

READDeKalb man says he was 'playing' with gun when he killed girlfriend

Willie Dasher, 45, and Chaketa Williams, 37, were arrested and charged with dogfighting, he said.

The dogs were taken to the county animal shelter, where they’re being evaluated.

Because of that, the dogs “are not available for adoption at this time,” DeKalb County Animal Services said.

The agency, however, is looking for people to adopt and foster other animals at its shelter, which is currently full with more than 400 dogs.

To foster an animal, email foster@dekalbanimalservices.com. To adopt, visit LifeLine's DeKalb County Animal Services in Chamblee.

DeKalb County authorities say they found items used to train dogs to fight, including this piece, at an Ellenwood home. (Credit: DeKalb County Police Department)

Credit: undefined

icon to expand image

Credit: undefined

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter

In other news: 

Catherine Leach-Bell's son Curtis Walker was one of five black boys found slain in DeKalb County from 1979 to 1982. Authorities have for decades suspected the killer was convicted murderer Wayne Williams.Bell want's answers to why her son's murder is still unsolved.