*warning: graphic video

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office along with state and federal officials were heartbroken by what they discovered during a June 25 search at a property supposed to be an animal rescue in Fortuna, California.

They obtained a search warrant after receiving "credible information" back in April about animal cruelty and fraud. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division led an investigation which eventually led to a second search warrant on June 25 to allow excavation of the property.

The digging began in an open field for "evidence of deceased dogs believed to be buried in mass graves" at Miranda's Rescue. 

They unearthed 117 remains of dogs in various states of decomposition from two dig sites. In another dig site they found 21 dog skulls, hundreds of bones, and six loose microchips.

Forensic veterinarians X-rayed seventy of the dogs on site and uncovered more disturbing and infuriating evidence - "many of those animals showed evidence of bullet fragments. Most of the dogs recovered were microchipped."

The cause of death for many of the dogs was a gunshot wound. Investigators also located a barn on the property where they believe the dogs were killed. Inside they found more than 600 dog collars. 

"This investigation is just getting started. There is a tremendous amount of data to process, witnesses to interview, and evidence to examine," stated Sheriff Honsal in a press release. "We are grateful for the investigative teams from the county, state, and federal government. We are also grateful to the private forensic veterinarians who performed the necropsies on site. The determination all of these professionals showed while working through this horrific scene is something we will not forget."

Countless people are calling for justice for these dogs as officials work to identify the deceased dogs through their microchips. Officials are reviewing evidence, which will take some time, and based on their findings will proceed with criminal charges. No charges have been filed yet. 

NorCal Bully Breed Rescue is taking a stand for all the animals killed and those still at the rescue. They shared a press conference at Miranda's Rescue where Sheriff Honsal shared devastating facts. 

From January of 2025 to April or May of this year, over 900 dogs were transferred to Miranda's Rescue from various shelters. A little over 100 were accounted for as adopted, leaving 730 animals that are unaccounted.

Oakland Animal Services, one of the shelters who previously worked with Miranda's Rescue, was contacted during the investigation and were shocked and upset to find out what had happened to several of their transfer dogs. 

Director Joe DeVries said a dozen microchipped dogs were sent in March and April and was told by Miranda that four were adopted, only to recently find out that they were killed. "Four of those five were dogs he had previously told us were adopted. We have text messages saying these dogs were adopted, and then he told me they were put down." 

DeVries went on to say, "We just don’t know how many more dogs he told us were adopted out that actually are lying in a grave, and we’re pretty upset." 

Only one of the dogs was found alive, Redwood, which DeVries has asked officials to have returned to them. 

All Dogs Thrive, another heartbroken animal rescue who worked with Miranda's Rescue, shared their thoughts on Facebook. 

On June 18 (prior to the discovery of the deceased dogs on the property), Shannon Miranda, founder of Miranda's Rescue, released a statement on his website stating, "Miranda’s Rescue is a no-kill rescue. 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—when an animal is suffering from a terminal condition or when it poses a serious, ongoing danger to people or other animals. In those situations, we make the most humane and responsible decision we can, always with public safety and animal welfare in mind."

Vigils and silent protests are being held in Eureka to remember the dogs killed as animal advocates call for justice.

Follow Humboldt County Sheriff's Office for more updates on the active case.