A litter of dead puppies was found on James Caldwella golf course in Pennsylvania, with no leads on how they ended up there.

Seven puppies from the same litter, estimated to be between four and six weeks old, were discovered at the Ingleside Golf Course in Caln Township, Pennsylvania, by a staff member of the golf club, Joseph G. Elias, Chief of the Caln Township Police Department told USA TODAY Tuesday.

"It was a very disturbing find," Elias said, adding that the puppies were found in the part of the golf course that is furthest from the clubhouse. "There was no attempt by the person or persons who placed them there to conceal them."

Elias said that the puppies were located around mid-morning on Monday by a staff member and they were likely placed 12-18 hours before they were found.

The cause of death has not yet been determined but the puppies "were exposed to the elements and scavengers before they were located," Elias said, adding "preliminary findings suggest that the puppies were killed before being discarded at the location where they were discovered."

"This is such a sad situation, those young souls deserved a better life," Sara Smith, a spokesperson for animal welfare organization Brandywine Valley SPCA, said Tuesday.

The spokesperson said that the organization has available resources, such as free pet food pantry, low-cost or grant-funded vet care, vaccines, and spay/neuter, rehoming consultation, to avoid such outcomes and encouraged pet owners to seek them out.

"There are options available, and we want people to know they can come to us," Smith said.

Active criminal investigation ongoing

Elias said an active criminal investigation into the incident in ongoing and the Brandywine Valley SPCA is assisting them in the investigation and determining who might be behind this.

"Our hope is that someone will come forward from the public with information that can assist us in identifying motive and the person or persons responsible for this heinous act," Elias said.

The police have requested anyone with information on the incident to either call the SPCA's tipline at 484-302-0018 or submit tips anonymously online via their tip form.

Ingleside Golf Club, meanwhile, will be donating $5 from every green fee to the Brandywine Valley SPCA from July 25 to July 28 to support the prevention of animal abuse, Elias said.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.