GASTONIA -- The Gaston County jail is bringing in extra paws to help with overcrowding.

The county is replacing a retired bomb dog and adding two new K-9's that can detect drugs.

The number of inmates in the facility is growing at the detention center, so the goal is for the dogs to help alleviate a staff shortage and crack down on the influx of drugs.

The sheriff's office says they will also help keep order.

"The dog is someone you can't fuss at, cuss at, they're going to do their job,” Gaston County Sheriff Alan Cloninger said.

Once the three dogs are purchased, it will take around four months to train them and put them in the jail.