MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An increase in dog bites and loose dogs in Merced County has prompted the sheriff's office to conduct a stray/at-large dog enforcement campaign. Deputies say their Animal Service Bureau has received a significant increase in calls related to stray or at-larg e dogs and dog bites in the Beachwood and McSwain areas. In response, Animal Services will be conducting a stray/ at-large dog enforcement campaign throughout the area during April. The sheriff's office asks that residents ensure their dogs are properly secured, either within a fenced yard, inside a kennel, or on an approved dog-runner; tethering dogs to fixed objects such as doghouses, trees or fences is not allowed and is a criminal offense in California. Deputies say owned dogs found loose will be impounded at the Animal Services Bureau and their owners will be subject to a fine. Owners can also be fined for failure to license and failure to vaccinate their dogs. ...read more read less