A fire killed four of six dogs who were housed inside a shed at an Egg Harbor Township home, police said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Police were called to 4093 Tremont Ave. on Saturday by a third party that said the backyard structure was on fire, Lt. Larry Graham said.
The shed was fully engulfed when police arrived.
The homeowner, who was not identified, told police he had recently gotten hom, and was not aware of the fire, according to the report.
Firefighters from Cardiff and Bargaintown extinguished the blaze.
It was later learned that the shed was equipped as a shelter for the homeowner's six dogs, Graham said. It had heat, water and food available.
Two of the canines were rescued, but the four others died in the fire.
The Police Department’s humane law enforcement officers were notified of the incident and are conducting a follow-up investigation.