DMX's Arizona Home Raided; A Dozen Pit Bulls Removed From Residence

Police also discovered weapons cache; no charges have been filed against rapper.

By Chris Harris, with additional reporting by James Montgomery and Stephen Totilo Aug 24 2007 5:51 PM EDT

Deputies with the Maricopa County sheriff's office raided the Cave Creek, Arizona, home of rapper DMX on Friday morning (August 24), and according to a police spokesperson, 12 pit bulls were removed from the residence, all in bad condition. Police would not get into specifics but did say the animals are being tended to by veterinarians.

At this point, DMX (real name: Earl Simmons) has not been officially charged with any crime, but police are still investigating. DMX was not at his home at the time of the raid, during which police also discovered a large cache of weapons. Police do not believe the rapper is in Arizona but would like to question him as part of their investigation.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is expected to speak more about the investigation during a press conference outside DMX's Cave Creek home at about 6 p.m. ET.

This isn't the first time police have taken an interest in DMX's dogs. Back in 2002, the rapper pleaded guilty in New Jersey to charges of animal cruelty, stemming from a 1998 raid of DMX's home. Police claimed he had neglected 13 pit bulls. He eventually plea-bargained down to fines, probation and community service, and even starred in a public-service announcement against animal abuse.

The DMX news comes the same day that NFL star Michael Vick admitted his own involvement with dogfighting (see "Why Does The Michael Vick Case Hurt Hip-Hop?"). The Atlanta Falcons quarterback told the U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia, that he would plead guilty to "conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture." Vick faces a maximum term of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

MTV News will have more on this story as it develops