GREENVILLE -- The Greenville Humane Society said accusations of abuse and neglect at its shelter are not based in fact.

PAW, or People For Animal Welfare, a local animal welfare group, brought the charges at Monday's Greenville City Council meeting.

Representatives for PAW asked the council not to renew the city's $125,000 contract with the Humane Society.

PAW alleges that the Humane Society has mistreated animals. Their charges include animals being kept in filthy kennels and putting aggressive and docile animals in the same cages.

"We and all of my colleagues believe in the concept of a humane society. We would just like to see this particular humane society operate in an effective manner," said PAW member Leslie Armstrong.

Humane Society Executive Director Judy Outlaw said PAW's claims have no factual basis.

Outlaw says any problems are the result of a 60-year-old facility that is in the process of being replaced.

"Everything will be brand new and fantastic for the animals that come through our door," Outlaw said. "We're doing the best we can for the animals that come in. Last year it was 23,500 animals that came through our back door."

PAW's allegations have sparked interest from Greenville County officials.

"We've done some investigation on our own with our animal control officers and we're anxious to work with the city as they go forward with an investigation to ensure all animals in Greenville are treated humanely," said Greenville County Administrator Joe Kernell.

Kernell said that no evidence of animal abuse had been found at the Humane Society.

Meanwhile the city is looking at its contract with the society for a different reason--its age. The current contract is 15 years old and has never been renegotiated.

"If our contract is not renewed and we go somewhere else for the service it would certainly have an impact on the Humane Society," Greenville City Manager Jim Bourey said at Monday's meeting.

Meanwhile, Outlaw insists the Humane Society is taking good care of the county's wayward pets.

"We're doing the best we can for the animals, (treating them) the way (they) need to be treated right now at the Greenville Humane Society working under the conditions we're having to work under."