BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J. -- In a wooded area of Delran, N.J., within sight of the serene Rancocas Creek, Animal Control Officer Lou Marino saw something horrifying this week: a dog chained to a tree that had been beaten to death.

“The animal had some fractures in the skull, some fractures on the rib cage. It was sad. I couldn't even imagine being tied to a tree and of course not help myself and being beaten like that,” said Marino.

Authorities were notified after a resident of the upscale neighborhood bordering the woods made the grisly discovery Tuesday evening.

Investigators do not believe the young pit-bull mix was a stray, because somebody had taken the time to have him neutered.

Marino said no one has reported the dog missing.

Caryl Macklin-Wagner, co-founder of the LBM Animal Abuse Awareness Fund, has offered a $400 reward to help catch whoever killed the dog.

Currently, officials have no suspects in the crime. If caught, the criminals could face fines of up to $10,000 and years behind bars.