In a shocking discovery, the remains of at least 117 dogs were found at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, a “no-kill” shelter in the Northen California city of Fortuna.
Many of these dogs had gunshot wounds, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation began in April after receiving credible information about potential animal abuse and fraud.
Authorities discovered 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones, and more than 600 dog collars on the 50-acre property. Investigators believe a barn on-site was used to kill the dogs. Ground-penetrating radar was used to locate the remains buried in mass graves. Sheriff William Honsal described the scene as “horrific.”
The shelter’s founder, Shannon Miranda, stated that the media coverage has been incomplete and inaccurate. He maintained that Miranda’s Rescue is a no-kill facility, only euthanizing animals in rare cases when they are terminally ill or pose a danger.
The investigation revealed that the shelter had received over 900 animals since early 2025, with only 116 adoptions. The sheriff’s office is working to identify the dogs using microchips found at the site. No charges have been filed yet, but the investigation is ongoing. If evidence supports violations of animal cruelty or fraud, the case will be submitted for prosecution.
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