Authorities raided rapper DMX's home in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday morning (August 24), seizing his pitbulls and guns.

According to local television (KPNX), Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputies seized 12 pitbulls, which they described as distressed, as well as an unknown number of weapons during their raid.

The rapper (real name: Earl Simmons) was not home during the raid.

Although DMX was not immediately available for comment, TMZ.com did get into contact with DMX's attorney Murray Richman, who claimed the rapper would not intentionally harm his dogs and that he "loves" them.

"Earl has a caretaker, who obviously wasn't taking care. Earl loves those dogs," Richman told TMZ.com.

The attorney said that someone reported that the dogs were at risk due to the extreme heat of Arizona. He also said that the rapper hasn't been in the state in months because he's working on a new project.