WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Pet owners on Whidbey Island are seriously concerned and the community is searching for answers after two locally owned dogs were found brutally killed.

KING5 reports the dogs escaped the yard of their North Whidbey residence on Nov. 19th. After five days of searching, the owner received the news that a hiker in Dugualla State Park discovered the bodies of the animals dumped at a trailhead.

The Island County Sheriff’s Office described the deaths as “violent” and are offering a $5,000 reward for any information.

Local residents are worried they might be dealing with a “dog serial killer” after a dog owner near the state park reported her two dogs missing just days after the discovery of the slain pets.

Investigators say there is currently no evidence to suggest the two cases are related but they have not ruled it out.