CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (WJPF) — What authorities in Cape Girardeau first thought were human remains have turned out to be the remains of a dog.

The badly decomposed canine body was found at about 7:00 p.m. Friday.

Police say the remains were in a plastic bag  inside of a suitcase that seemed to be left in a location where it would be easily discovered. After removing the remains from the plastic bag, authorities realized they were not human.

Police believe the suitcase and remains were left with the intention to shock and disturb whoever found them. The investigation is ongoing.