Darlington Police Chief Jay Cox says nine mixed pit bulls seized from a a home on Cotton Street have been euthanized.

Animal Control officers removed the dogs from the home three weeks ago.

An incident report says the dogs' ribs were showing, and they were tethered with heavy logging chains.

The owner of the animals, Alfred Dixon Junior, is charged with animal cruelty.  A date has not been set for his trial.

Chief Cox says Dixon signed the dogs over to the Darlington Police Department.

The animals were housed at the Darlington County Animal Shelter, where employees determined the pit bulls were not suitable candidates for adoption because of their physical condition and temperament.

Cox says for those reasons the animals had to be put down.