A man accused of participating in a dog fighting ring in Nashville has formally been charged.
James Burgess was arrested back on March 9 but was officially charged Thursday with animal fighting and aggravated animal cruelty.
PHOTOS: Police Arrest 3 In Dog Fighting Ring
He was already being held on a charge of conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Twenty-one pit bulls, including 10 puppies, were seized from a home on Rowan Drive and are now being cared for by Metro Animal Control.
Many of the dogs had heavy chains attached to their collars, and most had visible scarring and injuries to their faces and bodies.
Officers also found steroids, wound ointment, antibiotics and syringes at the scene.
Police said the training tools that were found at the home indicated they were not legitimate animal breeders.
Three additional suspects have also been accused in the ring.
