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The U.S. government is seeking ownership of over 40 pit bulls following its take-down of a Broward dogfighting ring, using a civil forfeiture process that is typically applied to property like cars, contraband or cash.

The pit bulls have been in the care of the U.S. Marshal’s service since January, when FBI agents raided the Deerfield Beach home of prominent Broward dogfighter Alex Benefield. They found 36 pit bulls locked in cages in his backyard, many of them scarred and injured, according to a federal complaint. A month later, while still in U.S. Marshal’s custody, one of the dogs that was pregnant during the raid gave birth to 12 puppies.

On Thursday, prosecutors filed a complaint requesting that Benefield officially forfeit all of the

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