11 Dead Animals Found Skinned Were Foxes, Not Puppies

Eleven small animals found dead and skinned near Lower Macungie's Quarry Park Friday have been tentatively identified as foxes because of their teeth, according to Christine Wiggins of the Lehigh County Humane Society.

Further testing is needed to be sure, Bruce Fritch of the humane society told The Morning Call.

A press release from state police originally indicated the animals were puppies, sparking outrage among local animal lovers.

An Upper Macungie woman who was walking her dogs on Friday afternoon near the park made the gruesome discovery and called state police. She did not want to disclose exactly what she saw for fear of jeopardizing the investigation.

The woman told Patch, "It's very upsetting. And I worry what kind of person would do something like that. And what are they capable of doing to anybody?"

The animals looked to be about 6 months old when Wiggins saw them on Sunday, she told Patch. They should have been disposed of properly, not left in a park where a child could see them, she said.

Wiggins said she didn't know if this case and the similar case of a skinned animal -- possibly a dog -- last week in Lynn Township are related. That animal, she said, was professionally skinned and its feet were cut off -- which is a sign of a professional's work. Wiggins said the animal was not "cooked," as reported by local media. It showed signs of exposure to sun and the elements.

The animal in Lynn Township was found about 20 miles from the Lower Macungie park where the foxes were found.

The feet were not cut off the animals found in Lower Macungie, Wiggins said.

State Police at Fogelsville still has a criminal case open on the incident, but said the Lehigh County Humane Society is now the lead investigator for both the Quarry Park and Lynn Township incidents.

Anyone with information about the foxes is urged to call Wiggins at the Humane Society at 610-797-1205 ext. 2.