Six pit bulls were found dead inside garbage bags on the side of a rural road in Crete Township, Illinois. Township workers came across the bags near Kings Road and Norfolk Avenue. Investigators believe the dogs showed signs of being used for dogfighting, and that they were killed before someone tossed them out like trash.

No one has been charged. Crime Stoppers of Will County is now offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest, the biggest reward the group has ever put up. “This is really an important crime to solve,” said David Silverman of Crime Stoppers of Will County.

Six dogs in one spot raises hard questions. If these animals were forced to fight, the people responsible could still be running fights and raising more dogs for the same fate. Animal advocates also warn that cruelty like this does not always stop with animals. Peter Cangelosi, founder of Pets and Vets USA, told reporters that abuse can escalate from animals to people, and that whoever did this needs to be caught.

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and the Will County Sheriff’s Office have the power to make this case a top priority. They should commit the time and resources needed to identify everyone involved, look into whether a larger dogfighting operation is active in the area, and bring the strongest charges Illinois law allows.

Anyone with information can share a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Will County.

Sign the petition to demand that Will County find and charge whoever killed these six dogs, before more animals suffer.