INDIANAPOLIS -- A dog found wounded and bloody on Indianapolis' northwest side was likely the victim of an organized dog fight, police said.

The injuries sustained by the 5-year-old pit bull, found hobbling near 71st Street and Guion Road Friday afternoon, were some of the worst that workers at the Humane Society of Indianapolis said they had ever seen.

"It was clear immediately to our staff that he was the victim of a dog fight," Shelter Director Christine Jeschke told 6News' Tanya Spencer.

Veterinarians found 50 puncture wounds, deep lacerations and broken bones on the dog they named Valor. Some of the injuries were hours old, while others were weeks old.

"He's probably been fought his entire life," Jeschke said.

Eventually, Valor had to be euthanized.

"The first moment of peace that this dog probably had was when we stilled his beating heart," said Nina Gaither, a shelter employee and co-founder of Indy Pit Crew. "The cowards that engage in this need to be brought to justice. The cowards that know about it, that don't engage in it but still don't do anything about it, need to come forward."

Officials said tips from the public are necessary to stop the illegal practice. Dog fighters often own a number of dogs and puppies confined by thick chains, and use tires suspended from trees as jaw-strengthening tools.

Besides the cruelty, dog fighting also breeds other kinds of crime, officials said.

"There are typically illegal guns, illegal drugs and a lot of violence," Jeschke said. "The people that could do this to two helpless dogs, they're not going to think twice about breaking into your house, robbing you on the street or hurting your children."

Anyone with information about potential dog fighting is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.