Authorities Discover 117 Deceased Dogs, Many With Gunshot Wounds, at Northern California ‘No‑Kill’ Sanctuary

Investigators found 117 deceased dogs at a Northern California animal rescue sanctuary, with many of the remains showing signs of gunshot wounds.

Miranda’s Rescue, located outside Fortuna, California, identifies itself as a ‘no‑kill’ facility. Authorities said the group took in hundreds of dogs annually from Bay Area shelters in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding.

On Friday, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office announced that investigators had finished excavating the property, the latest step in a months‑long probe. Working under a search warrant for the grounds and buildings to gather evidence of animal cruelty and fraud, crews dug in areas where officials suspected mass graves of dogs.

“During the excavation, investigators uncovered 117 intact canine remains from two dig sites. An additional 21 skulls, hundreds of bones, and six loose microchips were found in a separate location nearby,” authorities said in a press release.

Prior to digging, investigators employed ground‑penetrating radar to spot subsurface anomalies. In addition to the intact remains, they recovered several loose microchips that are now being traced to individual dogs.

The sheriff’s office reported that the 117 dogs were in various stages of decomposition. At the scene, X‑rays were performed on 70 of the bodies, revealing that many appeared to contain bullet fragments.

Most of those dogs were microchipped, and analysts are using that data to identify them. The remaining 47 bodies were collected as evidence but were not examined on site due to time constraints.

“Sheriff’s investigators also identified a barn area where they believe the dogs were killed, and there they found more than 600 dog collars,” the press release stated.

In a June 18 post on the sanctuary’s website, founder Shannon Miranda addressed two incidents he said had drawn heightened attention to the rescue. He explained that both cases involved dogs with behavioral issues that had threatened staff, volunteers, and other animals, and urged the public to reserve judgment until the investigation concludes.

“Miranda’s Rescue is a no‑kill facility,” the statement read. “We do not euthanize animals merely to create space. However, as noted on our website, euthanasia may be required in rare circumstances … Whenever euthanasia has been performed, I have informed local authorities beforehand, even when told that reporting is not mandatory.”

It added: “Making allegations without a full understanding of the facts can damage not only my reputation but also the future of an organization that has served this community for decades.”

The investigation began after a neighbor admitted to trespassing on the property in April and digging up what they thought were buried dogs, as reported by ABC7 News. More than two months later, no criminal charges have been filed against Miranda or any members of the rescue organization’s staff.

The sheriff’s office’s press release stated: “We wish to inform the public that, given the nature and complexity of this investigation, reviewing the evidence will take considerable time. Once the investigation is complete and all evidence has been thoroughly examined, if sufficient proof exists to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be forwarded to the prosecution team for review and possible criminal charges.”

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