At least 117 dead dogs found in 'horrific scene' at California 'no-kill' shelter

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

Updated 9:42 AM CDT, June 28, 2026

FORTUNA, Calif. (AP) — The remains of at least 117 dogs were found on the grounds of a California “no-kill“ animal shelter, many of them with gunshot wounds, authorities said.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that it also discovered 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones and other remains during searches at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, a 50-acre (20-hectare) facility in Fortuna, California.

Investigators combing the site on Thursday located an area in a barn where they believe dogs were likely killed, the sheriff’s office said. More than 600 dog collars were found nearby, the office said.

Sheriff William Honsal called it a “horrific scene.” No charges have been filed.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/dog-remains-animal-rescue-california-92545f7942f1f8663d5665c3b5bafec8

[mike_c]

1. I've donated to Miranda's Rescue

They've been a Humboldt County institution for decades. If they deliberately killed animals in their care, I'm horrified. But in fairness, Miranda's is a no-kill shelter, so many animals live out their lives and then die there. It isn't surprising that their bodies would be buried or whatever on the property. I hope that's how this turns out.

[AZJonnie]

2. A certain number will also get sick and either die or need to be put down

There are certainly non-nefarious reasons why this facility would have animal carcasses they need to dispose of, and it may be that burying the remains is all they afford to do with them. And people bury dead pets (and human bodies of course) all the time, not like it's inherently some awful thing to so. It's also possible there was a bad disease outbreak, and some sick animals needed to be culled.

When I read 'no-kill' I don't assume there are 0 circumstances under which some animals will end up euthanized, just that it's not done wantonly and based purely on time restrictions.

So, I'm not going to jump to conclusions without hearing the owner's side of the story. However if they're all just recently shot, and their bodies left to rot above ground, that's a very different scenario of course.

[Grins]

9. You don't "put down" dogs in your care with a gun.

I hope he dies screaming.

[LisaL]

12. This guy apparently took in 600 dogs las year.

A lot of these shelters paid him per dog, so he collected a lot of money. He is only licensed to keep 60. Do the math.

“Of all the agreements, Solano County is the only shelter that has a term listed [stating] that Miranda’s Rescue may not euthanize a dog to create space for additional dogs,” Aguilera’s statement says. “In the past year, it is estimated that Miranda has received approximately over 600 dogs from various shelters. This number does not include any animals privately surrendered to Miranda’s Rescue. It is estimated that Miranda’s [Rescue] received approximately $510,000 in payment for caring for these dogs.”
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2026/may/20/mirandas-rescue-neighbor-says-she-caught-him-camer/

[CountAllVotes]

20. That is a lot of dogs!

600 collars found in the barn in Fortuna.

Where did the cats go? What about the colony of 110 cats that were "rescued' by this freak? Where did they go?

WHERE!

[LisaL]

4. I really doubt it turns out that way.

Many of the dogs were reportedly shot to death (bullet holes in the heads).

[generalbetrayus]

3. Many of the dead dogs found with gunshot wounds.

[LisaL]

5. It sounds to me that he was collecting money

for the dogs up-keep (fees from other shelters surrounding the dogs, donations, etc). Claiming to be a no-kill shelter.
Other shelters send him dogs and paid a fee per dog. He might have been getting as much as $500 per dog (and more) in surrender fees, from what I can google.

[Wiz Imp]

21. That would seem to contradict any possible innocent explanation

[PufPuf23]

6. 117 Dogs Recovered, Hundreds of Collars Found in Suspected Kill Site: HCSO Releases Details of Miranda's Rescue Excavati

Local article

117 Dogs Recovered, Hundreds of Collars Found in Suspected Kill Site: HCSO Releases Details of Miranda’s Rescue Excavation

Friday, 26 June 2026, 1:58 pm Redhead Blackbelt Staff 49 comments at link

On June 25, 2026, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division completed a second search warrant operation and follow-up investigation at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, located at 1603 Sandy Prairie Road in Fortuna, California. The search warrant authorized the Sheriff’s Office to search the grounds and buildings associated with Miranda’s Rescue and Shannon Miranda for evidence related to animal cruelty and fraud. This included the excavation of open fields for evidence of deceased dogs believed to be buried in mass graves. The investigative team searched the open field on the east side of the property. The property was also surveyed using ground-penetrating radar. Several locations were identified, and specialized teams excavated sites where anomalies in the soil were discovered. 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.

The 117 intact dogs were in various stages of decomposition. Seventy of the dogs were X-rayed on site, and many of those animals showed evidence of bullet fragments. Most of the dogs recovered were microchipped. Analysts are currently reviewing the data obtained from the microchips and are working to identify the dogs associated with those chips. All items were collected as evidence and will undergo further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

Seventy of the dogs were examined on site by USDA and forensic veterinarians. Based on those examinations, investigators preliminarily determined the cause of death for many of those animals to be gunshot wounds. Due to time constraints, the remaining 47 dogs were not examined on scene. All 117 dogs were collected as evidence.

While digging in the northern area of the same field, investigators located additional deceased canines in advanced stages of decomposition. Investigators attempted to remove animals from that location; however, due to the advanced stage of decomposition, investigators on scene, in consultation with the prosecution team, determined that the evidentiary value of removing the animals from the ground was not justified. Investigators documented the location and observations, and the site was covered, leaving the animals in their final resting place.

More article and local comments at the link: https://kymkemp.com/2026/06/26/156-pm-117-dogs-recovered-hundreds-of-collars-found-in-suspected-kill-site-hcso-releases-details-of-mirandas-rescue-excavation/

[mike_c]

11. wow

Speechless.

[PufPuf23]

13. Surprises the heck out of me too.

Sickening and sad.

[maccafan]

7. This breaks my heart

What else can I say.

[moonshinegnomie]

8. the owner should be treated they way he treated the dogs......

[warmfeet]

10. No kill site.

They were killed. Man's best friend, not so much.

[slightlv]

14. NO charges have been filed?

bull pucky! track down the owner, and have her confession, or verifiable info on who did.

These poor babies deserved a life or racing across the greens. May they find open arms at the Rainbow Bridge.

[LisaL]

16. It takes time to investigate.

Especially considering the number of dead dogs found.
Also, the owner is a man, not a woman. Even though his last name is Miranda.

[Wiz Imp]

22. I assumed there was an implied "yet" at the end of that sentence about no charges.

[CountAllVotes]

15. Shannon Miranda is one sick fuck!

and ...

https://www.animals24-7.org/2026/06/28/how-did-mirandas-rescue-manage-to-disappear-so-many-dogs-for-so-long/

Miranda's Rescue


He's been at this for over 25 years now. He killed one of my cats in the year 2000. I did not know he was a fraudster and a criminal!!!!!

May justice hang him high!

He is a threat to the world!

FUCK YOU SHANNON MIRANDA!

[LisaL]

17. Yes, he has been at it for a long time.

Getting money from all kinds of shelters that send him hundreds and hundreds of dogs.
He is only licensed for 60 dogs. Most of the dogs he got were pitbulls, so it's a good guess he wasn't adopting them out by the hundreds/thousands.

[CountAllVotes]

18. Miranda $$$$

He has two mansions in Las Vegas now. A familiar face in the casinos.

Another property in Hawaii.

The list goes on and on and on and on!

Prison for life for SHANNON MIRANDA!!!!!

[red dog 1]

23. +1

Thanks for that link.

What the hell is wrong with Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal?
Why hasn't Shannon Miranda been arrested yet?

[LeftInTX]

19. The dark side of animal.rescue

Around here, they "rescue" dangerous dogs from the kill list. Then they flip them into the community.

Then, we have the groups who treat Animal Control like ICE agents and hide dangerous strays in the woods.

It's well known there is money to be made.