INDIANAPOLIS -- Police are working to track down people who have been pitting dogs in fights against each other after the discovery of two boys police said were doing it for entertainment.

Dogfighting has been a problem for some time, but investigators said some young people are becoming increasingly involved in the gory, cruel crime, 6News' Linda Allen reported.

Dogfighting was previously a primarily rural crime, but Indianapolis officials said it has been going on in the city. An underground network of members stages organized events.

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Video: Police Investigate Gory Dogfighting
Slideshow: Police Track Dogfighting

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Indianapolis Animal Care and Control showed 6News some of the evidence. Some pit bulls they now have show serious wounds. One has a paw that has been ripped in two, scabs on his head and signs of older wounds.

The dogs were picked up from an east side neighborhood over the weekend when police arrested two boys for allegedly dogfighting in a vacant lot.

Indianapolis police Sgt. Jerry Bippus investigates dog fights. Bippus said he believes the boys saw dogfighting elsewhere, then tried it themselves.

"It's a bad situation for these 12- and 13-year-olds that they're doing stuff already at that early age," Bippus said.

Bippus has investigated dozens of cases over the past few years. Some of his best tips come from the Internet, where organized dog fighters showcase their wares.

"What do they get out of it? Money -- it's the money and it's bragging right that I have a nice dog here that's champion," Bippus said. "If you breed a champion or grand champion, it's worth $2,000, $3,000 per dog."

A pit bull was found bound and gagged, frozen in a Muncie Dumpster about a year ago. Police said the dog lost the fight before losing its life.

Delaware County animal control officers warned 6News then about the growing popularity of dogfighting in Indiana.

Authorities said dog fighting is more than just cruel to animals. The sport also brings neighborhood drugs, gambling, guns and criminals.

Officials hope stepped up enforcement efforts will cut down on dog fighting in the city. They are also using billboards to try to get information about dogfighting operations.

Police asked that anyone who is aware of dog fighting operations to contact Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS.