Elkhart County animal shelter closes night drop boxes

Elkhart County residents will no longer be able to drop off stray animals at the Humane Society after hours.

Bristol, Ind. - Elkhart County residents will no longer be able to drop off stray animals at the Humane Society after hours.

Humane Society of Elkhart County officials say they are closing the shelter's nine night deposit boxes because people are abusing them.

Executive Director Anne Reel tells The Elkhart Truth that some animals that have been left were mistreated. The shelter also has received animals that were dropped off after closing so their owners could avoid paying the $20 intake fee.

Reel says the shelter will extend its hours by 90 minutes Monday through Thursday and will install surveillance equipment and work with police to patrol the shelter at night.

Those caught abandoning animals could face misdemeanor charges.

Information from: The Elkhart Truth,

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