VAN WERT COUNTY, Ohio. (WOWO): Troubling claims of mistreatment and improper care at the Van Wert County Animal Shelter. Officers with the Van Wert County Sheriff Department have confirmed there is an investigation ongoing, but did not detail what they've uncovered.

A source tells our partners in News at 21Alive, that the probe found dogs had been starved, deprived of water, and living in their own filth. The tip also claimed some of the animals were dead and had not been removed. 

Rich Strunkenburg has been the Van Wert Dog Warden for several years and has been placed on paid-leave pending the investigation. In the meantime, a County Sargent is overseeing the day-to-day operations of the shelter.

The length of the investigation is unknown at this time.