California investigators discovered the remains of at least 117 dogs buried on the property of a Northern California animal rescue, with forensic examinations revealing that many of the animals had been killed by gunfire, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

Mass Graves Discovered at Fortuna Property

The grim discovery occurred Friday during an executed search warrant at Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna. Law enforcement teams, working alongside forensic veterinarians, unearthed mostly intact canine remains from two separate burial sites on the property. Authorities also recovered nearly two dozen skulls, hundreds of bones, and approximately 600 dog collars from what investigators described as mass graves. Preliminary X-ray examinations conducted on-site revealed bullet fragments in many of the recovered animals.

Sheriff William Honsal praised the dedication of law enforcement and veterinary professionals who processed the scene. The investigation, he emphasized, has only just begun. Some remains were found in such advanced stages of decomposition that officials determined they could not be safely removed from their burial locations.

Investigation Spans Multiple Months

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office opened its investigation in April after receiving allegations of fraud, animal abuse, and cruelty at the facility. The case was immediately assigned to the Major Crimes Division. During an initial search warrant execution on May 1, investigators seized evidence and discovered that a significant number of animals previously surrendered to the rescue could not be accounted for. This discrepancy prompted the second search warrant executed Thursday, which led directly to the recovery of the canine remains.

Forensic veterinarians examined 71 bodies on Thursday but ran out of time to process the remaining 46. Investigators are currently working to identify microchipped dogs among the remains. The sheriff’s office cautioned that the investigation will be lengthy and comprehensive, emphasizing their commitment to conducting a complete and legally sound examination while protecting the constitutional rights of all involved parties.

Rescue Founder Had Previously Addressed Concerns

Shannon Miranda, founder of Miranda’s Rescue, posted a statement on the organization’s website on June 18 addressing recent media attention. In that statement, Miranda described two specific incidents involving animals that were killed at the facility, including a dog that attacked other animals and another that lunged at a baby stroller. Miranda characterized the rescue as a no-kill shelter but acknowledged that euthanasia is sometimes necessary for public safety. The statement claimed that local authorities were notified in advance of euthanasia decisions, even when reporting was not legally required. Miranda could not be reached for comment following the discovery of the remains.