DENVER -- Denver police conducted a complex sting Sunday rounding up several men accused of abusing their wives and children.

Police said they are growing increasingly weary of a disturbing trend in Colorado with more and more juvenile males committing acts of abuse.

The Denver Police Department has hauled in 270 people for domestic violence in the month of October. Although police are glad those men are off the streets, they said that is not a number they are particularly proud of.

In Denver alone, 4,000 cases of domestic violence were reported last year. Among those arrested Sunday is a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old.

"We went out in hopes that we could catch them off guard -- early on a Sunday morning, where they might be residing and drag them in here like the dogs they are," said Division Chief Dave Fisher.

A sting operation landed at least seven men behind bars for allegedly abusing their wives and children, police said.

"I really want to bring that home -- how many kids are affected by these crimes," said Fisher.

The roundup is part of the DPD's response to skyrocketing incidents of domestic violence, particularly violence inflicted by juvenile men. It is a dangerous trend experts are keeping a close eye on.

"The more society allows adults to get away with it, the more the kids are going to get away with it, period," said Dora Lee Larson, CEO of Denver Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.

"Our unending commitment to addressing this social epidemic is focused and strong," said Fisher. "Evidence by a recent staffing increase to our domestic violence unit by over 35 percent."

Police point out the case of Theresa Schilt who was killed tragically by her husband, who confessed to putting her body in a Dumpster.

"We spent 87 days in a landfill searching for Theresa's body and we don't want her death to be in vain," said Fisher.

What is equally concerning is the effect of witnessing domestic violence. Experts said children who have witnessed domestic violence are twice as likely to become abusive as adults.

October is domestic violence awareness month.

In the past five years, 17 Colorado children have been killed in domestic violence incidents.