PHOENIX -- Six dogs found dead at three different homes in Phoenix on Thursday baked to death in 111 degree heat with no water or shelter, Arizona Humane Society officials said.

The three calls, made within two hours, marked the deadliest day in the society's history, said Kimberly Noetzel, Vice President of Marketing & Community Relations.

Noetzel said in each case, the animals were found with no access to water or shelter.

"These poor dogs, quite literally, baked to death in the sun," Noetzel said. "Attempts to take their body temperatures were futile."

Animal control officers were called to 51st Avenue and Southern Avenue, where they found the bodies of four, 6-week-old shepherd/mix puppies.

"They'd been left in a makeshift pen in a backyard with no access to water or shelter," Noetzel said. She said the owners could face four counts of cruelty to animals.

At 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, officers found the body of a large, male pit bull.

"The dog had a bone-dry, metal water bowl," Noetzel said. The dog's owner could face one count of cruelty to animals, authorities said.

Near 15th Avenue and Buckeye Road, animal control officers found the body of one large dog in the backyard with no water and no shelter, Noetzel said. Phoenix police said they had been to the home earlier in the day and the dog appeared to be okay. The owner could face one count of cruelty to animals, according to officers.

"In each case, the thermometers reached the maximum of 109 degrees and could not go any higher," Noetzel said. "That means that all six dogs had body temperatures of at least 109 degrees."

Noetzel said pet owners must protect their animals from the heat or their pets will die and they could face criminal charges.