Provincial police in Norfolk County are investigating after six puppies were found dead with their hind legs tied together.

A woman who was walking her own dog at a fenced-in, abandoned property along Hume Street in Simcoe, Ont. stumbled across what the OPP described as the "gruesome discovery" on Thursday, said Const. Ed Sanchuk.

Police were contacted Friday. Sanchuk said the puppies are in an "advanced state of decomposition" so it's difficult to tell what breed they are, but they appear to be newborns and it's clear their rear legs are tied together with rope or twine.

"Obviously our concern is these animals were tied together and left out in the elements to die," he said.

The officer added the puppies have most likely been there for months, although it's possible the winter slowed their decomposition.

Gruesome discovery made by resident in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Simcoe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Simcoe</a>. 6 dead puppies located with paws tied together. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NorfolkOPP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NorfolkOPP</a> investigating. <a href="https://t.co/84mxLouKjL">https://t.co/84mxLouKjL</a> —@OPP_WR

Sanchuk said he's an animal lover and called the situation very disappointing.

"These animals didn't need to die," he said. "They could have been dropped off at a shelter or sold or given away on the internet. This individual took it up themselves to discard these puppies out in an abandoned area that was fenced off hoping nobody would find them."

The investigation is in its early stages, but Sanchuk said the fact the puppies are tied up points to possible charges with "serious consequences" including animal cruelty and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Police say it's likely the puppies have been dead for months. (OPP)

"Anyone with information that may know someone that recently had a litter of puppies, maybe five or six of them and they don't know what happened to those puppies … is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers and the Norfolk County OPP," he said.

Norfolk County OPP can be reached by calling 1-888-310-1122. The number for Crime Stoppers is 1-800-222 -8477.