BELCHERTOWN (AP) — State wildlife authorities are investigating the grisly discovery of 14 dead coyotes at a Belchertown lumber yard.

Janis Sugrue, owner of Native Lumber Co., says she informed state environmental police on Monday after a neighbor riding her horse on her property, saw, and smelled, the carcasses.

Environmental police and a representative from the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife visited the site Tuesday.

It is unclear where and how the animals died. Officials say there was no obvious evidence of gunshot wounds or trapping.

Ralph Taylor of the State Division of Fisheries and Wildlife says coyote hunting season ended on March 8 and noted that the dumping of animals is illegal.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.