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Faced with a growing problem, officials are once again advising those who find stray dogs not to abandon them outside the shelter when the agency is closed.

"It's happening more and more," said Lapeer County Animal Control Chief Walt Rodabaugh. "I don't know whether it's the economy, or the public just doesn't realize they're not doing what's right. It's a danger to the animal, and the public. What happens if the stray bit someone, and we don't have an animal to test? It happened with a rottweiler that was chained outside our door. We got the dog back, but it creates a big problem."

Problems began for a local family on May 4, when Harrison, a golden Labrador retriever accompanied his owner Jesse Gilsbach for a run into the woods behind their Merwin Road home. The dog, who's considered a member of the family, usually never leaves his side during their walks. This time he ran off after something.

Jesse, his wife Sherrice, children Porter, 3, and Royce, 6, searched the countryside for their pet, but couldn't find him. They feared he'd never be returned when they noticed that Harrison's identification tags had fallen off his collar.

"We didn't sleep. It was a nightmare," said Sherrice. "We were all heartbroken."

The family spent Monday looking and distributing flyers throughout the county. Tuesday evening a woman called the family after seeing their missing dog notice. She said her son dropped Harrison off at the Lapeer County Animal Shelter. Sherrice phoned the agency Wednesday morning as soon as it opened, but no one had seen Harrison. She later discovered the finder's son had tied Harrison to a yellow pole in front of the shelter after hours and left him there.

"We were sick with worry," said Sherrice. "Was he hurt? Did a nice person have him? Would he ever come home?"

The family distributed new flyers in the Lapeer area with wording about his being abandoned outside the shelter. Lapeer resident Donna Hect spotted one in the West Side Market and phoned Jesse. Her daughter, Ashley Hect, found Harrison and took him home early Tuesday morning.

"My daughter, Ashley was walking by about 1 a.m. and saw the dog tied to the post," said Donna. "She said he was in a spot where he could have gotten hit by a car. She wondered why someone would leave him."

The family fell in love with the dog and planned to distribute "found dog," flyers when they spotted the Gilsbach notice.

"We were sad, because he was such a nice dog," Hect said. "But we were happy to see him go home. It was like they lost him twice."

Residents who find a stray dog and can't keep them overnight are asked to call County Central Dispatch at (810) 667-0292, their non-emergency number.

"Contact them, and they'll tell you what to do with it," Rodabaugh said. "They have a key to the shelter, if there's no possible way to hang on to the dog until the morning."

Animal Control is the only county agency authorized to handle strays. If anyone spots an injured or threatening dog, call 9-1-1. They will dispatch animal control on an emergency basis if necessary.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com.