The reward was sitting at almost $2000 at the end of the weekend, but the figure reached $6120 by the end of yesterday.

The Advertiser was inundated with calls from individuals and businesses donating money for any information leading to the RSPCA gaining a prosecution for the animal cruelty acts.

"I hope the town of Bendigo unites in the plight to catch the person responsible and set an example to the rest of Victoria that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated," an anonymous Melbourne donator said.

The response follows The Advertiser's animal cruelty coverage on Friday of an Irish wolfhound found dead in the bush near Lake Eppalock on Christmas Day.

The stolen dog was placed in a sitting position and abandoned, and would have strangled itself to a slow death as it was unable to lie down.

At least 12 other dogs in the Bendigo region have suffered similar fates in the past year.

Several individuals have donated small or large amounts in their bid to help capture the person, or persons, responsible for the offences.

The Advertiser, Midland Irrigation and Paul DeAraugo Bendigo Toyota have donated a combined $2000, and another anonymous donator has already handed over $500 cash.

Flora Hill resident Sandra Haskin donated $500 and said she was willing to take out a $5000 loan, but the RSPCA talked her out of it.

"Every morning I walk around Kennington Reservoir with my dog and everyone is happy and we all speak to each other," she said.

"But on Saturday morning, only one person spoke to me and she and I were both crying.

"It felt like everybody was grieving... it was very powerful."

RSPCA inspectorate services manager Greg Boland said the organisation had received about a dozen phone calls with information.

"But none of it has been breakthrough information," he said.

"One of the avenues we're looking at is into the illegal world of dog fighting.

"They could be stealing dogs to crossbreed, hence the puppies found or the dogs are being used for fights, they might be thrown into the ring with a pit bull.

"People generally involved with dog fighting are generally involved with pig and deer hunting.

"But another avenue could be a sick person that gets delight in killing dogs in this manner."

The RSPCA is urging anyone with information to contact them on 9224 2222 or e-mail inspector@jlrspca.vic.org.au

Information will be treated as confidential.