UPDATE: Authorities have confirmed the animals were foxes, not dogs, purchased legally as bait for crab fishing operations. They are not anticipating criminal charges. But this raises a new and urgent question: should any animal be bought, killed and discarded as fishing bait? These foxes were living creatures. Their lives still mattered.

Twenty-one dead dogs have washed ashore on a Washington island.

No one knows where they came from. No one knows what happened to them. But what has been found is deeply disturbing: animals discovered dead, some showing signs of possible cruelty.

For a community of animal lovers, this is more than shocking. It’s heartbreaking.

Dogs are not just animals—they are companions, family members, and trusted friends. Seeing so many of them lost in such a mysterious and unsettling way demands answers.

Right now, investigators are working to understand what happened. But this cannot be ignored or left unresolved.

If these animals were harmed, those responsible must be held accountable. If there are larger risks—illegal activity, abuse, or systemic failures—they must be uncovered and stopped.

We are calling on local and state authorities, including the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and Washington state officials, to conduct a full, transparent investigation and ensure that the truth comes to light.

Animal lovers everywhere are watching.

These dogs mattered. Their lives mattered. And they deserve answers.