Animal welfare workers in northeast Pennsylvania say someone skinned 11 puppies before dumping their bodies near a public park.

DNA tests will be done to determine if the puppies are dogs, coyotes or some other type of domestic or wild animal.

The Lehigh County Humane Society says the 11 puppies were discovered Friday in Lower Macungie Township, outside Allentown.

Shelter manager Cary Moran says they were found in or near a bag that had apparently been torn open.

The discovery comes the same week another animal was found skinned, with its feet cut off, about 20 miles away in Lynn Township.

Moran says it will be difficult to find the person who dumped the puppies unless a witness comes forward.

Without an arrest, she says, the motive will remain unclear.