The small dogs, which all seem to be maltese-poodle crossbreeds, were highly emaciated and filthy when they were found and taken into care.
Police are now hunting for the culprit, who could face a jail sentence if he is found to have abused the pets.
The dogs started being left near a branch of PetSmart in Troy, Michigan in April this year, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Most were dumped behind the building and later found by store employees, although some were discovered in other locations nearby.
After tracking down the dogs - which sometimes required chasing after them for up to an hour - workers turned them over to the Animal Welfare Society of Southeastern Michigan.
This week, the problem got even worse as six emaciated animals were found in the area in a single day.
PetSmart workers are baffled about the culprit's motives - pointing out that the store does not even sell dogs.
'If they'd just call us, we can refer them to a rescue group or the Humane Society,' manager Nikki Taylor told the Free Press. 'We just don't want this continuing.'
The animals, which are aged between two and six years old, appear scarred by their experiences and are nervous of people.
One dog was about to give birth when she was abandoned, but thankfully her puppies were delivered safely.
A volunteer at the Animal Welfare Society said that the dogs were 'in terrible condition', with matted fur, covered in faeces and dangerously thin.
The animals will be put up for adoption once they have been nursed back to full health.
Authorities are looking for the person who dumped the dogs - although it is possible that a number of different people could be responsible.
'I think it's a breeding situation,' Ashley LaPorte of the Animal Welfare Society told the Free Press. 'I guess they have too many and they’re overwhelmed. Or it could also be a hoarding situation.
'But whatever's going on, it's pretty heartless that they're dropping them off by the freeway.'
(Daily Mail - Oct 10, 2013)
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