Pierce County Sheriff Detective Ed Troyer said deputies saw the marijuana and dogs as soon as they entered the property in the 9200 block of 229th Street East on Saturday morning.

"It kind of snowballed from there," he said. "It was determined pretty quickly that these dogs were raised for dog fighting."

Nearly two dozen pit bulls were seized and taken to the Tacoma-Pierce County Human Society, where they are being treated for a number of injuries.

Troyer said investigators found syringes, drugs and treadmills they think were used to train the dogs, and dog remains were discovered on the property.

A 36-year-old man who was at the property was booked for investigation of assault and drug possesion.

"We are holding off on the dog charges until we get through the investigation... but that will be coming," Troyer said.

Troyer said the initial 911 call was placed by someone in the house who said the man was holding a gun and making threats.

"Ironically now, they're probably a suspect in the dog fighting portion of this," Troyer said of the caller.