CADIZ, Ohio --



In light of an increasing number of dogs being abandoned after hours, officials at the Harrison County Dog Pound are upgrading security.

Dog warden Tina DeWalt said four dogs plus a litter of nine puppies were set free outside of the shelter after hours just this week.

She said drop-offs aren't that uncommon in the spring, but the trend seems to have started earlier this year. To help combat the problem, cameras have been installed outside of the building and more security upgrades are in the works.

To people who think they won't be recorded, DeWalt said, "All of our cameras are going to change. We're going to catch you."

She said she's already taken one case to the prosecutor's office after she received an anonymous tip.

"Somebody is bound to know all the dogs if they're from this county and somebody is going to call in and tell me," DeWalt said.

DeWalt said, instead of leaving dogs and puppies outside overnight, people should call her and work out a better solution so the animals aren't put in any danger.