At least 117 dead dogs found in 'horrific scene' at California 'no-kill' shelter
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 Sheriffs Office said Friday that it also discovered 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones and other remains during searches at Mirandas 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 sheriffs 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
(37,197 posts)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
(4,220 posts)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
(9,598 posts)I hope he dies screaming.
LisaL
(48,039 posts)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 Mirandas Rescue may not euthanize a dog to create space for additional dogs, Aguileras 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 Mirandas Rescue. It is estimated that Mirandas [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
(22,244 posts)
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
(48,039 posts)Many of the dogs were reportedly shot to death (bullet holes in the heads).
generalbetrayus
(2,069 posts)LisaL
(48,039 posts)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
(10,851 posts)PufPuf23
(10,039 posts)Local article
117 Dogs Recovered, Hundreds of Collars Found in Suspected Kill Site: HCSO Releases Details of Mirandas Rescue Excavation
Friday, 26 June 2026, 1:58 pm Redhead Blackbelt Staff 49 comments at link
On June 25, 2026, the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office Major Crimes Division completed a second search warrant operation and follow-up investigation at Mirandas Rescue Animal Sanctuary, located at 1603 Sandy Prairie Road in Fortuna, California. The search warrant authorized the Sheriffs Office to search the grounds and buildings associated with Mirandas 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/
Speechless.
PufPuf23
(10,039 posts)Sickening and sad.
maccafan
(189 posts)What else can I say.
moonshinegnomie
(4,153 posts)warmfeet
(3,331 posts)They were killed. Man's best friend, not so much.
slightlv
(8,213 posts)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
(48,039 posts)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
(10,851 posts)red dog 1
(33,753 posts)(He can be fired, "but it is an exceptionally difficult process".)
CountAllVotes
(22,244 posts)


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
(48,039 posts)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
(22,244 posts)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
(33,753 posts)Thanks for that link.
What the hell is wrong with Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal?
Why hasn't Shannon Miranda been arrested yet?
CountAllVotes
(22,244 posts)It is sickening! I want to get the hell away from this evil!
The old boy system just loves him. He is after all performing a "community service" in their sick twisted minds!
The cat I now have was from a colony that he was called in to deal with. Luckily, I adopted this feral cat about one year ago. Otherwise, he'd be long gone by the hand of Miranda! Word is that he HATES CATS!
He killed by cat in 2000! He has a story he tells people about some old farmer grieving the death of his wife and he went to Miranda's to adopt a dog/cat. His B.S. story has worked for many years.
He is a pathetic creature!
WTF is wrong with the justice system here is right! That is why I want to get out of this place. I'm done!
LeftInTX
(34,971 posts)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.