Rapper DMX has taken to Twitter.com to blast false rumours suggesting he has been arrested for running an illegal dog-fighting ring, urging critics to "stop believing everything you read".

The Party Up (Up In Here) hitmaker, real name Earl Simmons, hit headlines over the weekend (27-28Dec14) after a report surfaced on satirical news site Infossip.com, alleging the hip-hop star had been among a group of people busted by California police on Friday (26Dec14) for running the underground ring.

The fake article went on to suggest authorities had seized more than 100 pit bulls from Dmx's home, with some suffering from bad wounds and malnourishment, while the dead bodies of another seven dogs were also discovered on the property.

The 'news' went viral, prompting a backlash online, but Dmx - who did face misdemeanour animal cruelty charges in 2008 - has since taken to his social networking blog to shut down the unfounded claims and set the record straight.

In a Twitter post on Sunday night (28Dec14), Dmx wrote, "South California People! Really!! Stop believing everything you read!!! Maybe (find) a better source before you dive head first into the bulls***!!"

Dmx pleaded guilty to the 2008 charges after a number of his pet pit bulls at his Arizona home were found lacking the proper nourishment. He claimed he had been on tour and left his dogs in the hands of a caretaker, who had allegedly failed to bring them in from the hot Arizona sun.