Guemes Island Carcasses Rumored to be Foxes, Not Dogs

GUEMES ISLAND, Wash. — Crews found as many as 23 carcasses along Guemes Island shorelines, prompting a multi-agency investigation that has now taken a significant turn. Community members reported this morning that the animals are foxes — not dogs — and were likely used as crab bait by commercial fishermen.

To be clear, authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming that identification. No results from the DNA testing have been released publically.

“The investigation is active and ongoing and I will not be releasing many new details,” Lieutenant Jeff Willard with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday. “At this time, I cannot comment on those rumors.”

Timeline Suggests Movement Through Local Waters

Residents tracking the discoveries outlined a possible timeline. They believe the animals first appeared near Long Bay around March 24. Reports then placed them at Cook’s Cove by March 26, and at Kelly’s Point by at least March 29. That pattern suggests currents may have carried the carcasses through the area over several days. Investigators have not confirmed that theory.

Carcasses Found Across Multiple Shorelines

Responders and volunteers located carcasses at Long Bay, Cook’s Cove, Kelly’s Point, and West Beach. Crews also recovered one carcass from the Swinomish Channel near La Conner — a find that suggested the situation extended beyond Guemes Island. The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to six reports before the total climbed to 23.

Residents Said Dogs Were Not Local Pets

Residents said this week the animals did not appear to belong to the Guemes Island community.

Several people familiar with local pets insist they do not recognize the dogs. The island has a small pet population and many residents know each other’s animals.

“They just know it’s not missing pets from the island,” Beth Anderson said. “Folks in the community know all the dogs around, that’s all. Best guess right now is a water dump or a dump on a shore on a different, nearby island.”

Officials have not independently confirmed that claim.

“They are 100000% not random pets,” Laura K. Ferguson said.

Condition Of Animals Raised Questions

Responders noted the animals appeared similar in size. Some reported signs of skinning, and several carcasses appeared to have missing front paws. The community identification of the animals as foxes used for crab bait would be consistent with those observations — fox carcasses are used by some fishermen as bait in Puget Sound and Salish Sea waters. Authorities have not officially confirmed that explanation.

Official Investigation Still Underway

Investigators have not identified the origin of the animals. Attention has shifted away from a local source, however, as the number and condition of the carcasses points elsewhere.

“I was told yesterday by a reputable source that they are domestic, but the very final confirmation is yet to be determined,” Fire Chief Olivia Cole said last week. “If anybody happens to find more carcasses, please call Skagit County dispatch.”

Some residents believe someone may have dumped the carcasses in the water or along a nearby shoreline. Others suggest offshore disposal. Authorities have not confirmed any of those possibilities.

Small Island Community Uneasy

As the situation develops, concern among residents has been escalating.

“Guemes Island has become quite the famous little island this week,” Ferguson said. “For all the wrong, sad reasons.”

Cole said the animals will be tested for poison and in her opinion, all of them appeared to have been skinned.

Dead Bald Eagle Found Near Active Nest

Search teams also found a dead bald eagle near an active nest on West Beach. Officials forwarded the report to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Investigators have not linked the eagle to the other carcasses, but locals worried it had eaten a poisoned dog carcass.

Please do not let your dogs outside alone. Stand in the backyard with them every time they go outside and do not let them off a leash unless they are inside. This is as serious as it is heartbreaking.

— Guemes Island Community Member

Note: The above statement was made before the fox identification circulated. It is preserved here as part of the original community response to this story.

Forensic Testing Underway

Investigators submitted all recovered animals for forensic necropsy and DNA testing. Those tests will confirm species and cause of death. Results remain pending and will provide the official answer to what the animals are and how they died.

Public Guidance Remains In Effect

Authorities ask residents to leave carcasses in place and report them to Skagit County dispatch until investigators issue further guidance. PNW Daily will continue to update this story as new information becomes available.