PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person — or persons — responsible for the deaths of 13 beagles who were killed in a fire authorities believe was deliberate.

The hunting dogs were in a kennel in the woods outside of Gaston. The fire was reported Sunday and the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office responded around 1:30 p.m.

PETA said only one beagle survived.

“Thirteen helpless, terrified beagles burned to death inside a kennel, unable to escape the flames surrounding them,” said PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA urges anyone with information to come forward immediately before their killer harms anyone else.”

The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fire as arson and has requested assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 252-534-2611.