A stray dog killed 23 newly hatched turtles on a North Florida beach, officials said.

The turtles died just hours after they came out of their nests.

City of Atlantic Beach, Florida said in a Facebook post: "Our friends with the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol tell us that 23 sea turtle hatchlings that volunteers found dead near Second Street in Atlantic Beach likely were killed by an unleashed dog as the hatchlings emerged from their nest."

"Even the most well-behaved dogs can be curious and easily be attracted to hatchlings or dig up a nest. It's crucial to remember that these nests are often well-camouflaged, and it's easy for us and our pets to miss them," the post said.

Authorities asked residents to leash their pets after the turtles were killed.

"Let's do our part to protect the future of these amazing animals. Always keep your dog on a leash and stay away from marked nesting areas," the Facebook post said.

The incident occurred at a beach located approximately 15 miles east of Jacksonville, reported New York Post.

The incident is marked as a blow to environmental and wildlife protection efforts.

"The predations are particularly disheartening because of all the measures that Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers take to protect the nests and keep the turtles safe. Indeed, every nest counts because scientists estimate that only one in 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood," the statement said.