County animal officials are warning residents against using Web sites to sell or get rid of animals.

People are using classified ad Web sites to obtain animals and do illegal things with them, said Midge Grinstead, Lawrence Humane Society executive director. “People who want to hurt animals, that’s a good way to find them,” Grinstead said.

She said animals solicited online are sometimes used in dog fighting.

In the past two weeks, there have been three or four animal cruelty cases in Douglas County in which people went online trying to get animals, Grinstead said. She said the cases involve more than one person. “Be aware,” she said. “If they can’t take care of their animal … bring them to the shelter. I promise you that they’ll be cared for.”

The Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E. 19th St., does not charge a fee to people who bring in unwanted animals.