California Investigators Unearth 117 Dogs at No-Kill Sanctuary, Finding Bullet Fragments in 70 Bodies
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 27
California Investigators Unearth 117 Dogs at No-Kill Sanctuary, Finding Bullet Fragments in 70 Bodies
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 27
Summary
117 intact dog remains were recovered from two dig sites at Miranda’s Rescue near Fortuna, and investigators also found 21 skulls, hundreds of bones and six loose microchips.
70 bodies were X-rayed at the scene and many appeared to contain bullet fragments; investigators also identified a barn area where dogs were likely killed and found more than 600 collars there.
The Humboldt County probe centers on possible animal cruelty and fraud at the self-described no-kill sanctuary, which took in hundreds of dogs from Bay Area shelters in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Shannon Miranda said the rescue euthanized dogs only in rare cases involving dangerous behavior and that local authorities were notified in advance, but no criminal charges have been filed yet.
The case began after a neighbor dug up suspected dog remains in April, and the sheriff’s office said reviewing the evidence and deciding whether to seek charges will take significant time.