The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday that investigators uncovered the remains of 117 dogs during an excavation at Miranda's Rescue, a facility advertised as a "no-kill" animal shelter in Fortuna, California.
Authorities launched the major crimes probe in April after receiving a report regarding allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy tied to the 50-acre facility located about 288 miles north of San Francisco.
Investigation Details
According to Sheriff William Honsal, records showed that the rescue had taken in 900 animals since January 2025 but could only account for 116 adoptions, leaving more than 700 animals missing.
Crews utilized ground-penetrating radar to scan the fields before uncovering the intact canine remains from multiple dig sites, where 70 bodies were X-rayed and found to contain bullet fragments.
Investigators also discovered 21 additional dog skulls, hundreds of bones, six loose microchips, and a barn containing more than 600 dog collars where they suspect the animals were killed.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the scale of the recovery requires extensive forensic analysis and data processing.
"If there is sufficient evidence to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be submitted to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges," the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office said.
Owner's Response
The founder of the facility, Shannon Miranda, has not been charged with any crime and continues to operate the business with approximately 50 dogs remaining on the property under regular veterinary monitoring.
In public statements, Miranda defended his operations and urged the community to await the full results of the ongoing legal process.
"Consider all the facts before reaching conclusions," Miranda said.
He argued that the public discussion surrounding the active investigation failed to reflect the true nature of his sanctuary.
"Many of you, like me, have been appalled by allegations we've read in the media and online," Miranda said.
Miranda reiterated that the rescue maintains its founding principles despite the recent allegations.
"Miranda's Rescue is a no-kill rescue," he said. "We do not euthanize animals simply to make space.
However, as we state on our website, there are rare circumstances in which euthanasia may be necessary."
He expressed concern over how the unverified claims would impact the legacy of his animal sanctuary.
"Allegations made without a full understanding of the circumstances can harm not only my reputation but also the future of an organization that has served this community for decades," Miranda said.
