117 dogs found dead at ‘no-kill’ animal shelter

A burial site for over 117 dogs has been discovered at a purported ‘no-kill’ animal rescue in Fortuna, California.

A burial site for over 117 dogs has been discovered at a purported ‘no-kill’ animal rescue in Fortuna, California.

Authorities had been investigating Miranda’s Rescue Animal Shelter, a 50-acre facility 288 miles (463kms) north of San Fransico, when the mass grave was uncovered.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office began investigating in April after receiving ‘credible information’ about abuse, fraud, and animal cruelty

The shelter’s owner, Shannon Miranda, asked the public to ‘consider all the facts before reaching conclusions’.

The 117 dogs were found alongside around 600 collars, with initial examinations suggesting many of the dogs had gunshot wounds.

Since opening at the start of 2025, the shelter had brought in 900 animals but had only listed 116 official adoptions. Over 700 animals were unaccounted for.

Across two excavated sites, the intact remains of 117 dogs – plus 21 dog skulls and hundreds of additional bones – were discovered.

Investigators X-rayed 70 of the bodies and found bullet fragments, leading them to determine gunshot wounds as the cause of death.

The department also said it discovered a barn where they believe ‘the dogs were likely killed’ as well as another area with dogs in advanced stages of decomposition.

No charges have been filed so far, and the sheriff’s office has asked for patience as they continue to investigate the complex case.

‘If there is sufficient evidence to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be submitted to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges,’ the department said in a statement.

The search was prompted after a neighbour admitted to entering the property without permission in April and digging up what they believed to be buried dogs.