A Washington sheriff's office has resolved questions that unsettled residents after nearly two dozen dead canines washed onto a local beach.
The Skagit County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday that the animals discovered on Guemes Island were foxes, not dogs as some locals initially feared. Officials determined the foxes had been used legally as bait in fishing operations.
The discovery had sparked concern among island residents, who were troubled by the number of dead animals that appeared on their shores. The clarification from law enforcement provided answers about the source and purpose of the remains.
Fishing operations in the region have long relied on various bait methods, and the use of foxes for this purpose falls within legal parameters, according to the sheriff's office. The statement effectively closed the case that had generated worry in the community.
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