INDIANAPOLIS -- New statistics detail lagging response times, a spike in overtime pay and a shortage of staff within Indianapolis Animal Care and Control.

While some emergencies are handled promptly, average response times topped seven hours in May, 6News' Joanna Massee reported.

Last week, Holli Burgess said she waited for more than an hour for an animal control officer as she held an injured dog that was hit by a car.

"I think that she should have safely placed the animal in the control van, which she did not do," she said. "She had me carry the dog to the van and put the dog in the van."

The new statistics also show overtime costs exceeded $15,000 in May.

Public Safety Director Frank Straub said all of the issues can be linked to staffing problems.

"I think (response times are) getting longer for probably a couple reasons. One is staffing. We're down six people," he said. "I'm concerned about, clearly, the overtime, but I have to take responsibility for that because we're not moving the hiring process … because it's a bureaucracy and we're doing the best we can."

Former Acting Public Safety Director Mark Renner terminated former Animal Care and Control administrator Doug Rae in October 2009, citing poor response times.

Although the numbers have gotten worse, Straub defended Rae's replacement, current administrator Teri Kendrick.

"I look at the kennel improvements that have been made since Teri has been there. The kennel is cleaner, it runs more efficiently, the animals are treated better," Straub said.

Straub stressed that the ultimate responsibility for Animal Care and Control belongs to the community, not the city.

"This is a community responsibility," he said. "Responsible pet ownership is going to solve the problem."

Straub said he hopes a budget boost for the agency next year will help alleviate some of the current problems.