SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Skagit County authorities are continuing to investigate a string of disturbing discoveries just north of Anacortes.

Guemes Island Fire Chief Olivia Cole says the bodies of eight more canines were found mutilated on the shore of Guemes Island on Thursday, April 2.

The total now stands at 21 carcasses that have been discovered on Skagit County beaches dating back to March 26.

It’s unclear if the canines are domestic dogs or wild coyotes. Their causes of death and species are being probed by Animal Control, though Cole says it will likely be several weeks before any findings are released.

She adds that the culprit is not believed to be anyone from the island, as the carcasses seem to have been dumped and drifted ashore.

The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the string of incidents

Anyone who might have any information on the deceased animals is being urged to call either the Sheriff’s Office or Animal Control.