Investigators believe the 20 dead canines that washed ashore in Skagit County — some found skinned, missing front paws and with twine wrapped around their necks — were foxes used for commercial fishing.
The fox carcasses found ashore and in the waters surrounding Guemes Island, just north of Anacortes, were legally purchased outside of the state, the Skagit County sheriff’s office reported Friday. The office said in a news release that it “contacted the responsible party,” who is cooperating with investigators.
The agency originally described the animals as canines, a group that includes dogs, coyotes, foxes and wolves.
The sheriff’s office said it believes the foxes came from an out-of-state farm and were brought to Washington for use in commercial fishing, according to the news release. Later on Friday, Lt. Jeff Willard said in an email the foxes were purchased to be used as bait for crabbing.
The sheriff’s office said it does not anticipate referring the case to the prosecutor’s office for charges to be filed because, at this point, it appears no laws were broken, Willard said.
The Guemes Island Fire Department chief said last week that most of the bodies showed signs of being skinned, including having missing front paws and with fur only on their remaining back paws.
Willard declined to identify the commercial fisher involved.
The investigation is continuing, Willard said.
In Washington, it is illegal to own foxes. Fur farming, including of foxes, is legal in the U.S.
