117 dead dogs found at California animal rescue

Investigators searching a self-described “no-kill” animal rescue in northern California have uncovered the remains of 117 dogs, many with evidence of gunshot wounds, authorities said, deepening a months-long inquiry into possible animal cruelty and fraud.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that crews completed excavation work at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, outside Fortuna, California, where investigators believed dogs had been buried in mass graves. The agency said the search was carried out under a warrant covering the grounds and buildings for evidence related to animal cruelty and fraud.

“During the excavation, investigators recovered 117 intact canine remains from two dig sites. An additional 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones and six loose microchips were located in another dig location near where the intact animals were discovered,” authorities said in a press release cited by The Guardian.

The dogs were found in varying stages of decomposition. Investigators X-rayed 70 of the bodies at the scene and said many appeared to contain bullet fragments. Initial examinations found the cause of death for many of those animals was gunshot wounds, the BBC reported. The remaining 47 bodies were taken into evidence but were not examined at the site because investigators ran out of time, according to The Guardian.

Authorities also said they found an area inside a barn where they believe “the dogs were likely killed.” In that same area, investigators located more than 600 dog collars. Most of the deceased dogs were microchipped, and analysts are reviewing the data to identify the animals. The six loose microchips found near the remains are also being examined.

The sheriff’s office began investigating Miranda’s Rescue in April after receiving what it called “credible information” about allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy. Local media outlets reported that the inquiry began after a neighbor admitted entering the property without permission and digging up what they believed were buried dogs.

Sheriff William Honsal said the investigation found the rescue had brought in 900 animals since the start of 2025 and recorded only 116 adoptions, leaving more than 700 animals unaccounted for, according to the BBC. The Guardian reported that investigators said the organization accepted hundreds of dogs each year from shelters across the San Francisco Bay Area in return for hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding.

The sanctuary’s owner and operator, Shannon Miranda, has not been charged. In a statement posted on the sanctuary’s website before the excavation findings were announced, Miranda said media coverage and online commentary had presented “an incomplete and, in some cases, inaccurate picture” of the facility and asked the public to withhold judgment until the investigation is complete.

“Miranda’s Rescue is a no-kill rescue,” the statement 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 … Whenever euthanasia has been necessary, I have notified local authorities in advance, even when told that reporting is not required.”

Miranda said other shelters often turn to rescues like his as a last resort for harder-to-place animals, including dogs with behavioral problems. The statement added: “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.”

The BBC said it had reached out to the rescue for comment.

No criminal charges have been filed in the investigation, which has lasted more than two months. The sheriff’s office asked the public for patience, saying the evidence review will take significant time.

“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 department said.