By Cali Bagby, Islands Sounder Reporter

Photos have been circulating on Facebook of what appears to be an extremely neglected canine, with a look in its eyes of agony and bewilderment.

It is a look that has haunted viewers of the photo and propelled comments of outrage. The animal looks malnourished, with open wounds and one that seemed to be wriggling with maggots.

Two islanders, who stumbled upon the dog on San Juan Island and took the photos, called the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department to report the situation. A deputy arrived on the scene around the time the dog’s owner appeared.

According to Undersheriff Bruce Distler, the owner then took the dog to the vet, where it was euthanized. The case is under investigation by the sheriff’s department.

According to Washington State Legislature, animal cruelty in the first degree, a class C felony, occurs when a person intentionally inflicts substantial pain on, causes physical injury to, or kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death on an animal.

If a person is found guilty of animal cruelty they could face a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment up to five years and would be prohibited permanently from owning or caring for any similar animals after a conviction.