Massive multi-state bust lands dozens behind bars.

ELDON -- Federal investigators have broken up what they call the largest dog fighting ring in the country, and it happened in parts of Missouri.

More than two dozen people have been arrested, and five men are from Missouri, including an Miller County man on charges they bred and trained pit bulls to fight, and then abused or killed them if they didn't perform.

Eldon resident Jack Ruppel, 35, was charged for his involvement in the ring. His home on Juniper Lane was raided Wednesday.

Another home on Miller Rd in Eldon was also raided by federal agents.

Neighbor Nicole Bonnot lives just two doors down with her two young daughters.

"I seen the Humane Society truck come down and pull off to the side,” said Bonnot. “I was like, someone's finally gonna do something about this."

Neighbors say the dog situation at the home has been going on for several years. Neighbors say dogs bark and whine all hours of the day and night. They also say they've seen the animals training for fights right in the front yard.

“It looked like a little kids Radio Flyer wagon, and they had just took the wheels off of it and had cinder blocks in the back of it, and tied the dog to a rope,” said Bonnot. “It was running up and down the drive with it."

Investigators allege Ruppel ran "Ozarks Hillbilly's Kennel" using his Juniper Lane home to breed and train dogs to fight. Prosecutors say some dogs were burned, shot or thrown in a river if they lost fights. Neighbors say they saw the animal abuse first hand with the dead puppies or the dogs they wanted to dispose of.

The Eldon raids lasted several hours. The dogs are now in an undisclosed location in St. Louis where they will be treated and evaluated for adoptions.

Besides Ruppel, four other Missouri men were arrested for their involvement in the dog-fighting ring. Prosecutors say thousands of dollars exchanged hands during the fights at a farm in Harrison County, 100 miles northeast of Kansas City, Mo.

In all, more than 150 dogs were seized from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma.