By Candace Burns for abclocal.go.com

HURON COUNTY (WJRT) – The Huron County Sheriff’s Department is working to find out who is responsible for poisoning and killing several dogs.

The incident was reported on Friday at a home in Colfax Township. The pet’s owners called authorities after the animals showed signs of sickness.

There is a substantial amount of money being offered to anyone that can help police find those responsible for this animal cruelty.

“We consider this a serious crime,” Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson said.

It’s a crime that left seven innocent dogs dead.

Hanson says someone got into an unlocked kennel and poisoned the animals. “The owner of the dogs was called by her daughter saying that the dogs were sick. They immediately called the vet from the Bad Axe Animal Clinic,” Hanson said. “They went out there, and it was determined that the water supply had been tainted with anti-freeze.”

Four young dogs and three adult dogs were so sick from the liquid they had to be euthanized. Two German shepherds are the only dogs remaining in the kennel.

The family that owns the dogs says no one knows who would commit this heartless crime.

“I am not sure if they were friendly dogs or mean dogs, but this was not called for,” Hanson said.

Hanson says there is no known motive, but he believes the crime is suspicious. “It could be anything. Someone may have had a grudge with the victim or whatever. It doesn’t appear there were any neighborhood discrepancies with the animals.”

There is a reward available to anyone who comes forward with helpful information. “The Humane Society of the United States has offered $2,500,” said Hanson.

Hanson says the people who committed this crime will face the consequences. “Poisoning those animals, there is a felony that would apply, certainly. At the very least, cruelty to animals.”

Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to contact the Huron County Sheriff’s Department.