The Ohio SPCA alleges that dog warden Randy Mustard neglects the dogs in his care and turns a blind eye to abused dogs in the county, Laven reported. Mustard denies all of the charges.

But the county prosecutor and sheriff believe that there is enough evidence for an investigation. Mustard had about 20 minutes of notice before NBC 4 visited the Pike County pound Wednesday.

"You can take pictures of my kennel anytime," Mustard said. "You'll find it's very clean."

A volunteer at the pound said she recently took pictures of a very different scene and gave them to the Ohio SPCA.

"The floor is literally covered and caked in feces and urine," said Terry Landon, of the Ohio SPCA.

"I just want to see it get to the truth about what's going on out there," said Pike County Prosecutor Robert Junk.

The county prosecutor and sheriff said the pictures made them concerned, especially after Mustard refused to close down a reported dog mill.

Mustard: It's not against the law to raise dogs.

Laven: Even in conditions like that?

Mustard: You still should give a person fair time to tell them what's wrong so they can clean the mess up.

Mustard refused to appear when a search warrant was issued on the property, and the sheriff said Mustard may have even tipped off the owner of the puppy mill about the warrant, Laven reported.

"There was a phone call made to the suspect before we arrived," Sheriff Larry Travis said. "I have a problem with that. It puts my officers in danger."

Mustard denies the allegations, and said he only gave the owner advice about how to improve his puppy mill.

"He needs better kennels," Mustard said. "But if you cited everyone, you'd have to take away 90 percent of the dogs in Pike County."

The dogs at that puppy mill were rescued, Laven reported.

The Pike County sheriff has asked the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to step in. Officials said they are looking into it. Stay with NBC 4 and nbc4i.com for more information.