The lack of animal control in Henry County is leading some residents to wonder what's going to be done about the roaming animals.

Diane Carruthers works at the sheriff's department in Henry County and says she receives a number of phone calls each day regarding stray animals.

"Everyday we get calls about dogs being put off at people's houses or just dogs coming up in their yards and they’re wanting us to come and get the dogs. But we don't have anywhere to put the dogs," said Carruthers.

Henry County has had a problem with stray animals in the area because of the lack of animal control.

Currently, whatever animals come through are being housed in small headquarters, located behind the landfill in Abbeville.

There is animal control; however, it only operates within the city limits.

A concerned resident, who does not want to be identified says, “We have grandchildren that come here; you can't let a child out with the dogs running around."

Carruthers adds, "We need an animal control officer. The county is supposed to be mandated to have animal control, but for some reason, we don't and there's nothing we can do when we get these calls."

Carruthers says while nothing is being done right now, she urges Henry County residents to contact their officials. "We are encouraging everyone to call their county commissioners and complain or talk to them about getting some animal control in the county,” she concluded.

While there is no complete answer to the problem right now, there may be hope in the future.

Discussions on building an animal shelter for the county are underway.

There is somewhat of a shelter in Abbeville, but since there is no animal control, residents who run into stray animals have to load them up themselves and take them to the shelter to drop them off.

When asked about the mandated animal control, one commissioner stated he did not know the legalities of that issue.