By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Federal authorities now have two Salisbury homes at the center of an investigation into possible dog-fighting after more than 20 dogs were seized.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture searched the two homes, one in the 1100 block of Short Street just off North Long Street and the other in the 1100 block of Kenly Street. The agency was assisted locally by the Salisbury Police Department and Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

No charges have been brought in the case. The Short Street home is owned by Bernace and Betty McCain. The Kenly Street home is owned by Vang Pao.

Neighbors said the McCains don’t live at the home and the Kenly Street home appears to be abandoned.

The Animal Welfare Division of the USDA searched the home because it believed someone there was using the dogs to fight on site or was housing dogs used to fight elsewhere.

“We can confirm that federal agents were involved in a search executed in Salisbury,” said an email from Anand P. Ramaswamy, deputy public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Greensboro.

A number of abandoned makeshift dog pens were still at both homes Friday. Chains were lying on the ground at Short Street, and there were obvious signs of worn areas with no grass.

Documents related to the search had not been made public as of Friday afternoon. The investigation continues.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.