Vet forced to euthanize abused dog (Warning: Video is disturbing)

BESSEMER CITY, N.C. -- A veterinarian says one of the pit bulls found in a case of animal abuse probably hadn’t had anything but dirt to eat in almost two months.

Dr. Robert Neunzig is the vet trying to care for dogs Gaston County police found at two Bessemer City homes Wednesday afternoon while searching for a stolen motorcycle.

One dog could barely stand up to get into the vet’s office where they quickly determined the most humane thing to do was to put her to sleep.

“If you look at this, you literally see every rib in its body,” Neunzig said while showing us the dog minutes before she was put to sleep. "Without question one of the worst cases of neglect and starvation that I have seen in quite awhile.”

Images from the scene

Police say another one of the dogs was already dead on the chain where it was kept.

“We found a clear spot where they're fighting the dogs, and what they do is stick poles in the ground and the dogs fight each other,” said Gaston County Police Sgt. Sam Hersey.

Police charged Chavis Floyd and Anthony Ross with felony animal cruelty.

“I don't even stay here, so how I can say I mistreat them when I don't even stay here?” Ross said while being arrested.

Neither face dog fighting charges because investigators say that's tough to prove.

“We need stronger laws. When people are caught doing things like this we need to truly hold their feet to the fire," Neunzig said. "These animals should not have to live and suffer and die like this."

Floyd and Ross will be in court on Thursday. Officers say the surviving dogs may be rescued or may have to be put down.