Skagit County, Washington – Officials in Washington state have solved the mystery surrounding the discovery of 21 “dog” carcasses found washed ashore on Guemes Island. According to the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, the bodies were foxes, not dogs, and they are tied to a commercial crabber who was apparently using them for bait.
In an April 10 press release, the sheriff’s office said:
Based on information gathered to date, the animals involved are believed to be foxes that originated from a farm outside the State of Washington. They were lawfully purchased and transported into Washington for use in commercial fishing operations.
Adding:
Given the facts and circumstances currently known, the Sheriff’s Office does not anticipate referring any charges to the Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
Prior article about this situation here.
independent investigations and reporting.




56 Comments
THIS IS LEGAL?! Never mind the moral and ethical implications! I don’t like to say this, but in this horrific instance WTF!!!! If you can let’s leave messages ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE & IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS because they are lawyers. I am definitely telling them.
they are guessing to me and want the whole investigation to go away!!
I remember reading at some point that necropsies were supposed to be done to determine what type of animals they were!! what happened to that???
at the end of this article it says that the investigation is still on going ~ I get the feeling that the sheriff’s office will sweep it under the rug but what I hope I am wrong!!
this whole thing of using foxes for crab bait is horrific!! May they Rot in Hell!!
You’re joking??!! This makes it all ok? Everyone slap each on the back for mystery solved? How is this ok? Its disgusting and the POS who can’t fish like a man should be shot. You’re all assh*les
Agree
daily EVIL from DEVIL usa. I demand you stop COVERING UP 7 prosecute
The more I learn about the world, the more I am ashamed to be human!
Whether dogs or foxes, this is barbaric & inhumane! This investigation needs to identify the person/s involved & punish to the greatest extent the law allows!!! Shame on humans who do this. There’s a special place for you in hell.
I think the extent of human depravity and cruelty to animals knows no bounds. Every time I think I’ve seen and heard it all there’s yet something sicker. What on earth is wrong with these people? How can no charges be filed? Animals were not put on this earth so they could be exploited by humans and discarded for whatever stupid purposes we believe we have that’s so darn important. Sick.
Absolutely horrific!!!!
This is Bull—-t sickening
This is totally disturbing and mind blowing. This needs to stop.
Why on earth would foxes make good crab bait????
The cruelty of this practice is astonishing.
I hope someone will out what individual or company is doing this.
How are there no charges???? !!!!!
Pardon my ignorance, but are these foxes placed in the crab traps live? If not, how, and why, did they meet their demise? The “crab bait” reasoning doesn’t make sense to me. Who baits crab with foxes? I fail to see that the species (fox vs dog) makes a difference. Cruelty to animals is cruelty to animals regardless of the species. Questions need to be answered here, Sheriff!
I was thinking the exact same thing! Like what?? This story makes absolutely no sense.
fox farming is very cruel. the animals never leave tiny cages until is time to be analyzed electrocuted so their fur can be “harvested.”
stop the KILLING of thwse foxes ans charge the pepple dping thd killing!
OMG!!! Poor precious foxes!!! Please make the devil who did this pay!!! Hang that evil bastard by his balls and make his dogs eat him alive!!!!
Humans are ignorant, evil, and cruel! This is still a crime against innocence!
This is still a crime!!!!! Justice for these foxes!!!
They need to publicize the name of the crabbing company and the company that is providing Foxes for bait. People need to expose this kind of cruelty so that consumers (public & restaurants) are aware and boycott their products. Excuse the pun, but something smells more than fishy here!!!!
What a dreadful thing to do!
Who did this person buy the foxes from? What is the name of the commercial crabber.?
My God, humans are getting more and more primitive and cruel.
What a dreadful thing to do!
Who did this person buy the foxes from? What is the name of the commercial crabber.?
My God, humans are getting more and more primitive and cruel.
While I’m glad to know these poor victims are not dogs, I am still horrified that they are foxes. No animal deserves to be treated as “bait” – except the human scum who thinks it’s acceptable.
This is disturbing on all levels. First, why are foxes being farmed? And secondly, how is the act of using them for bait not punishable? Foxes are dogs – they are part of the canine family. Why don’t we leave wildlife alone?!! It sickens me.
No matter what the reason an animal deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion, however in our world today, there are ignorant, cruel idiots who think it is OK to treat them as something less than ourselves when we ourselves are always to blame. Let’s hope justice prevails for once because it usually does not. Usually, it’s a slap on the hand and I’ll see you later.
This is absolutely disgusting and disturbing ! I hope this disgusting, sorry excuse for a fisherman, is punished !!
This is highly disturbing and needs to be stopped!
This is absolutely disgusting and disturbing ! I hope this disgusting, sorry excuse for a fisherman, is punished !!