DENVER -- The future of 38 pit bulls was uncertain after they were taken from their owner Monday.

Neighbors complained about the noise, and Denver police confiscated the dogs, turning them over to animal control. But those dogs may never leave the shelter in part because there aren't many places for them to go. Denver has a pit bull ban, as do several other cities.

At this point, even though the investigators say the dogs were mistreated, the owner may get them back.

At least two of the 38 pit bulls were involved in a fight and some of the dogs are still hurting, vets said.

Denver police said the dogs' owner, Michael Padilla, lost part of a finger when he was bitten. Padilla faces 38 counts of animal cruelty and neglect, in addition to alleged violation of the city's pit bull ban.

"Although the conditions the animals were in was bad, the animals are healthy," said Doug Kelly, director of Denver's animal control division.

They were kept in a trailer in front of a home on the 1800 block of South Raleigh in unsanitary conditions.

"There was probably two to three days accumulation of feces and urine," Kelley said.

Neighbors said they heard the dogs day and night.

"We have kids around. And we certainly don't want those dogs around kids," said neighbor Luci Olguin.

"If there's nothing else they can do maybe, euthanize them, I guess," said neighbor Ezequiel Gomez.

But the shelter's director said that's not the most likely outcome.

"Chances are, given the circumstances and the health of the animals and everything, if everything checks out, he'll probably have the opportunity to get the dogs out," said Kelley.

Each of the 38 counts of animal cruelty and neglect comes with a potential fine of up to $1,000 and a year in jail.

Padilla told police he was on his way from Texas and didn't know about Denver's ban but he had a state license to breed these dogs registered to a Lakewood address in 2003 and 2004 but not now.

As a result, the state vets office said Padilla could face additional misdemeanor charges.