COLUMBUS, Ohio - Each year, Franklin County taxpayers pay to house, clean, feed, vaccinate and bathe dogs.

The dogs are seized by deputies because of neglect or for taking part in dogfights. The time it takes to prosecute the owners is raising serious concerns, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported.

In Franklin County, it takes an average of 288 days to resolve the cases. The bill to taxpayers is about $100,000 a year.

"We need to do a better way to prosecute these folks without making the dogs pay," said Lisa Wahoff of Franklin County Animal Control.

SLIDESHOW: Dogs Behind Bars

The fighting dogs pay with their lives. Animal control officers put down more than 100 dogs in the last five years. The animals' owners were convicted of dog fighting or abuse, Landers reported.

"That's the biggest tragedy of all," Wahoff said. "We can't adopt these dogs out because they are a danger to other animals and it's a danger to small children."

Those who know the system claim it is broken. They are tired of watching dogs languish in cells for nearly a year while their owners await trial. The limited space and money to house these dogs is also mounting in other Ohio counties, Landers reported.

"Essentially, what we need are supermax prisons to house animals as a result of dog fighting investigations," said Mark Kumpf of Montgomery County Animal Control.

Montgomery County has two ongoing cases that have cost taxpayers $145,000 so far.

"That's for two cases involving a total of 72 dogs," Kumpf said.

In Indiana, suspected dog fighters must post bond money every 30 days to pay for their dog's confinement. If they refuse, a judge orders the dog to be put down.  If owners pay and are found not guilty, the money is returned.

Ohio authorities want to bring Indiana's law here, Landers reported.

No one has more dogs impounded for alleged dog fighting than Roberto Wilson, of Columbus. His dogs have been behind bars for more than 300 days while he awaits trial. So far, it has cost taxpayers more than $51,000 to care for his dogs.

Wilson is not the only one. Tim Elkins is a convicted dog fighter. In 2002, 23 of his pit bulls were confiscated and later euthanized. It cost taxpayers nearly $13,000. Four years later, detectives said that they seized seven dogs from the Elkins family for alleged dog fighting. No dog fighting charges were filed. Still, it costs taxpayers more than $81,000.

Money investigators said taxpayers will continue to pay until Ohio's law changes.

"This is not where you're going to succeed. This is where we are going to catch you, fine you, take away dogs, take away your money and hopefully put you in jail," Kumpf said.

Ohio state representative John White said that he hopes to introduce tougher dog fighting legislation, requiring suspected dogfighters to pay for their dogs so taxpayers don't have to foot the bill.