A Moundsville man has been charged in an animal cruelty case that resulted in four dogs being euthanized.

On Thursday, Moundsville police arrested Chester Chanze, 43, on one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals.

According to Officer Steve Oliver, police went to Chanze's Clinton Avenue home on Oct. 23 after receiving calls about dogs fighting in the home. Oliver said he then contacted animal control, and it was discovered five pit bulls - one of them female - had been fighting each other constantly in the home and had gruesome wounds as a result.

"There was blood pretty much all over the house," Oliver said. "One of the dogs was missing all of her lower teeth. The dogs were tore up pretty bad."

Oliver said the dogs were covered in fleas and had various open wounds. Photos show that, in addition to the wounds Oliver mentioned, the dogs had exposed, raw skin, injuries to their paws and were emaciated. Oliver said he believes this is a case in which Chanze just could not take care of the dogs properly and that Chanze did not intentionally hurt the dogs.

The four male dogs were immediately taken to the Marshall County Animal Shelter, but they had to be euthanized the next day.

Marshall County Animal Shelter Director Cindy Brautigan confirmed the extreme nature of the dogs' injuries, saying they had a large variety of wounds and other problems.

"They were in very bad shape," Brautigan said.

The female dog has been taken in by a Moundsville resident who is caring for her, Oliver said.

Chanze is free on $2,500 bond.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to six months in prison and/or fined between $300 and $2,000, according to West Virginia Code.