Nearly two dozen suspected marijuana plants, grow lights and numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia were among a long list of items seized last week from a house in Butler.

Authorities believe two sons and their father used the 123 Third Ave. home — guarded by a pair of not-so-friendly dogs — as a marijuana grow operation.

The Butler County Drug Task Force arrested Ryan J. Dunmyre, 20, John D. Dunmyre Jr., 22, and John D. Dunmyre Sr., 48, after officers searched the suspects' house late Friday afternoon.

The warrant search followed a two-month investigation into suspected marijuana trafficking at the home, said Butler Country detective Pat Cannon, who heads the drug task force.

"We got a tip that the kids were selling it," Cannon said of what prompted surveillance of the home. "Then we got anther tip that they were growing it."

The younger Dunmyres face more serious felony charges in the case.

Ryan Dunmyre is accused of selling marijuana to a police informant and an undercover officer who came to the house Feb. 8 and 22, according to court documents.

When officers served the search warrant they were met by two Doberman pinschers at the front door of the yellow-sided, two-story home.

"They were pretty aggressive," Cannon said of the dogs. "(Officers) had to use a noise diversionary device to get the dogs away so they could get inside."

The flash-bang device did the trick, and before long, authorities uncovered in the basement the alleged grow operation that included grow lights, water pump, ventilation system and fertilizer.

Twenty-three individually potted plants and several baggies containing suspected marijuana and marijuana seeds were confiscated, documents said. Also seized were marijuana pipes, a scale and grinder.

Additionally, officers removed a 9 mm pistol and three long guns from the house.

The three suspects, all unemployed, were arraigned later that night.

Ryan Dunmyre is charged with two felony counts each of delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

He also is charged with three counts of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.

John Dunmyre Jr. is charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, a felony, and possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

John Dunmyre Sr. is charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana, all misdemeanors.

Dunmyre Jr. remains in the Butler County Prison on $10,000 bail; his younger brother and father are free on similar bail.

Authorities, meanwhile, condemned the suspect's house as "uninhabitable," following an inspection by Butler Fire Chief Nick Bam that turned up numerous suspected health violations.