GAFFNEY, S.C. -- Officials have decided a Dallas, N.C., couple will get a $30,000 award for calling in the tip that led to a man who authorities say was a serial killer who shot to death five people in South Carolina.

Multiple media outlets reported Friday that while Crimestopper rewards are anonymous, authorities had already identified Michael and Terry Valentine as the tipsters who led them to Patrick Burris.

The Valentines say the credit goes to their new puppy, who barked and woke them up early Monday morning.

While letting the dog out, the couple saw an SUV matching the type of vehicle police were looking for pull up to a nearby home and called police.

Officers say they killed Burris after he pulled a gun and fired at them.