SPRINGFIELD — More than a week after the Clark County Combined Health District declared a local animal shelter a public nuisance, officials are looking after the welfare of 367 dogs kept there in poor conditions.

Clark County Humane Society officials this week found 76 dead dogs at One More Chance Rescue and Adoption, 8393 Lower Valley Pike, in addition to 15 living cats.

The dogs had been housed in hog barns at the facility in varying degrees of health and were removed by local agencies with the help of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The animals are now being cared for by Humane Society officials and volunteers at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

The goal is to nurse the sick animals back to health and move them to permanent housing and adoption, said James Straley, Humane Society executive director.

“We’re going to get them out (of the fairgrounds) as soon as humanly possible,” said Straley.

The issues at the Lower Valley Pike facility have been an ongoing concern for the health district and humane society since 2007. But, taking action has been a challenge hindered by what officials believe are vague or lenient state laws on animal cruelty.

“Animal cruelty laws in Ohio are relatively weak,” said Straley.

The health and environmental concerns also had to be addressed through appropriate channels, district officials said.

“We can’t just walk in and start searching,” said Anne Kaup-Fett, registered sanitarian for the health district.

Shelter operator Jeff Burgess, 56, was given 28 days to clean up the property after the facility was declared a nuisance by Health District officials Feb. 17.

Neither Burgess nor his attorney were available for comment.