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The skinned dog carcass found along the Nisqually River last week was the work of a local taxidermist who improperly disposed of the remains of someone's family pet, the Thurston County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday evening.
Residents had found the dog Friday evening along the Nisqually in the 11600 block of Sixth Avenue Southeast. It had been skinned and was missing its tail. The dog's body had been turned over to county animal services for holding while an investigation was conducted.
A Thurston County detective learned Wednesday afternoon that the dog was a Bernese mountain dog that had been euthanized at the end of its natural life, and that the dog's family had chosen to get it stuffed to commemorate its life, sheriff's spokesman Tim Rudloff said.
The taxidermist cut corners and dumped the remainder of the dog's remains along the river once he had skinned it, oblivious to the spate of cat killings throughout the county in recent months and unaware of the concern it might create.
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Dog found skinned and missing its tail near Nisqually River Friday night
The case has been closed, and no charges have been filed.
