LAGRANGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- There's new information regarding a disturbing case of animal abuse in Lorain County.

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Reward Offered Animals Killed

NewsChannel5's Debora Lee reported that a dozen dogs, cats and deer have been found dead in LaGrange Township as part of what's believed to be Satanic rituals, and now a $1,000 reward is been offered for information that will help put those responsible behind bars.

The animals were found in a field, skinned and mutilated. Two of the dogs were not only skinned, but their eyes were painted orange.

The Lorain County humane officer is convinced there are Satanic rituals going on, and he has started his own investigation to try to track down the culprits.

However, a criminal justice professor at Baldwin-Wallace College, Theron Quist, said organized Satanic groups are pretty rare.

"I think when we see something horrible like this, we want to say it's something evil outside of anything in our society," he said. "And the idea that it might be neighborhood kids or some guy who's got nothing better to do than kill animals is a very uncomfortable one and that very well could be the case."

Another possibility -- at least in the case of the deer that were killed -- is poaching or illegal hunting, officials said.

Those who have any information about what happened to the animals are urged to call the Lorain County Sheriff's Department or the humane officer at (440) 653-1502.