An animal rescue group is offering a reward to find the people responsible for the four small dogs dropped off at the Dogwood Animal Shelter in Osage Beach on November 9th between 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 10. 

The dogs, who range in age from 1 year to 3 years old, were locked in a cat carrier and a medium dog carrier.

All were nearly hairless and were suffering from serious infections on their skin and paws.

The temperature outside the shelter were below freezing that night.

The Humane Society of the US is offering $2,500 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.  Dogwood Animal Shelter is adding another $250 to that figure.

In a news release from HSUS, the shelter director Ronnie Jacobson says, "There is no excuse for mistreating dogs and then dropping them off like trash. It is heartbreakingly cruel and also a crime. We're busy caring for the dogs now, tending to their skin infections and sores on the bottoms of their feet, and working to get them socialized. Hopefully, they will make a full recovery and we will be able to find loving homes for these sweet little dogs."

And you have any information call the Camden County Sheriff's Office at (573) 836-2244, the Dogwood Animal Shelter at (573) 348-4411, the Osage Beach Police Department 573-302-2010, or Osage Beach Animal Control 573-302-2000 x 223.