DONALDSONVILLE, LA — A deputy in Ascension Parish made a shocking discovery in Donaldsonville on Sunday. While pursuing an unrelated suspect, he ended up in the middle of what he believes to be a dog fighting operation.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that a deputy was involved in a foot chase on Sunday, July 1. The deputy ended up in the backyard of a home occupied by Brittany Ward and Joseph Duncan. He witnessed four dogs chained up with no access to food or water. A fifth dog was also chained, but appeared to be dead.

The Sheriff’s Office later investigated and believe the dogs may have been part of a dog fighting operation. That’s because they say the animals were covered with scars typically seen on fighters.

Deputies arrested Ward, but are still seeking Duncan.