Instead of sorting through mounds of cards, animal shelter employees are now able to glance at a computer screen to trace the history of animals brought to the shelter.

A new computer system has been operational at the animal shelter since July 1, Cherokee County Assistant Administrator Holland Belue told the Cherokee County Public Works Committee on Thursday.

"It's just a better way to monitor the animals," Belue said. "We are now doing it on cards, but those cards can be misplaced."

The computer contains information on each animal housed at the shelter, including the date of the animal's arrival.

An improved record keeping system became a priority after it was revealed the shelter was the focus of a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigation into whether animal control officers violated state animal cruelty laws.

"We have worked to streamline the process," Belue said. "There were four or five different papers kept on each animal. This way, we can better track the animal to make sure we're in better compliance with the law."

The county's actions followed complaints from local animal shelter volunteers who claimed county animal control officers violated state law by failing to fully sedate animals prior to euthanizing them.