SANFORD, Fla. -- One or more wild dogs are being linked to the deaths of dozens of cats in Sanford. Animal Control has even warned residents to keep cats inside.

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The city has started putting out traps to catch dogs that are running loose in the neighborhoods. They're hoping, eventually, the killings will stop.

Wanda Chandler is a cat lover and she is not happy with what's she's seeing around Sanford.

"This is unprecedented in our area. My neighbor had cats that lived out here for 15 years [and] died of old age,." she said.

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In the last several months, cats like her Siamese, BeeBee, have been found ripped apart by dogs. Other cats have disappeared and never been found.

"All around town, this weekend, there's been dead cats found," she said.

The problem started in the summer. Animal Control started getting complaints and reports of dogs running loose and going after cats. Recently, they started setting traps and doing extra patrols. In a two week period, they caught 16 dogs.

Now, Animal Control is asking people to keep their pets locked up, while they work to keep getting more dogs off the streets. They hope to ease the fears of people like Wanda.

"You know, it's very sad. It's a nightmare for people who love their cats." she said.

The city estimates between 30 and 40 cats have been killed. Other people believe the number is much high.

Anyone with a dog or cat that's running loose out of their yard faces a fine of $75 for the first offense and then the fines go up from there.