Five adult dogs and two puppies were discovered after an anonymous caller directed investigators to a locked storage unit in Hernando County, Fla.

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — As temperatures hit 90 degrees in Brooksville, Florida, Tuesday, seven dogs sat trapped in a stifling locked storage unit, most without food or water, until an animal enforcement officer and deputies arrived. It's unclear how long the animals were kept inside.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is offering a reward of up to $3,000 to find out who confined the dogs.

An anonymous caller tipped off the sheriff's office at 11:30 a.m., reporting "possible animal abandonment."

An animal enforcement officer went to the storage unit mentioned by the tipster and heard barking inside. A deputy and patrol sergeant then arrived and it became a crime scene.

Inside the unit were two Chihuahuas in a metal crate, a mother dog and her three small puppies, and a white dog on a short leash. Only the white dog had access to water and none had food.

"There was absolutely no ventilation in the storage unit," the sheriff's office said.

All dogs were removed and taken to Hernando County Animal Services to be evaluated by the veterinarian.