Video above: See the week’s top headlines in Tampa Bay
(KTXL) — A months-long investigation into a Northern California animal rescue took a grim turn this week after Humboldt County deputies said they uncovered what they described as a “horrific scene” while excavating the property.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office carried out a second search warrant Thursday at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary. Investigators have been examining allegations of animal abuse and fraud at the site since receiving a tip in April, and officials said the latest search revealed deeply disturbing findings.
According to a news release issued Friday, authorities focused on an open field on the east side of the property, using ground-penetrating radar to survey the land. The scans detected several irregularities beneath the surface, leading deputies to begin digging in areas they suspected may have been used as mass graves for deceased dogs.
The excavation confirmed those concerns. Deputies found 117 intact canine remains in two separate locations, along with 21 canine skulls, hundreds of additional bones and six loose microchips at other nearby dig sites.
Forensic veterinarians and officials with the United States Department of Agriculture examined the remains, including through X-rays. Based on those reviews, investigators believe many of the dogs died from gunshot wounds.
Authorities also searched a nearby barn, which investigators believe may have been where the dogs were killed. Inside, they found 600 dog collars.
Additional canine remains were discovered in an advanced state of decomposition in the northern section of the field. Due to the extent of the decay, investigators and prosecutors decided to cover that area and leave the animals “in their final resting place,” officials said.
How the investigation began
On April 22, the sheriff’s office received “credible information” about activity at Miranda’s Rescue — allegations of felony animal abuse and cruelty, along with fraud and conspiracy, deputies said in a news release Tuesday.
The office’s major crimes division was assigned to lead the investigation because of the alleged crimes’ “serious nature and complexity.” They quickly obtained a search warrant for the animal rescue, including for the business property and a residence.
A week later, on May 1, investigators served their first warrant at about 6:30 p.m., seizing an initial round of evidence. That led deputies to interview dozens of animal shelters across California, including some out of the state, along with witnesses and victims, plus “hundreds” of tips.
Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said at a news conference that investigators identified at least 900 animals transferred to Miranda’s Rescue since January 2025, but only 116 adoptions have been confirmed, leaving more than 700 unaccounted for, KTLA reported earlier this week. In an affidavit obtained by SFGATE, a detective wrote that he believes the rescue “murdered these dogs” for financial reasons.
On the rescue’s website, founder Shannon Miranda wrote in a statement dated June 18 that it is a “no-kill rescue” and that it does not “euthanize animals simply to make space.” The website also states that one of the rescue’s goals is to “increase public awareness of the companion animal overpopulation issue and provide solutions to end the killing of adoptable animals.”
“Criticism is part of public life, and people have a right to ask questions,” Miranda wrote. “I only ask that they consider all the facts before reaching conclusions. Allegations made without a full understanding of the circumstances can harm not only my reputation but also the future of an organization that has served this community for decades.”
Investigation remains ongoing
As the scope of the investigation expanded, so did the team looking into the alleged crimes. The sheriff’s office has worked with a number of state and federal partners, including the FBI, the USDA, the California Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, along with the Yurok Tribal Police Department, which assisted with ground-penetrating radar operations.
Officials began serving the second warrant Tuesday and concluded the excavations and examinations Thursday. Honsal said in a news release he understands people’s “desire for accountability and justice” but cautioned that the evidence review process will take a “significant amount of time,” noting that his job is to conduct a complete, impartial and legally sound investigation.
A news conference is set for Monday at the Humboldt County Jail, and Honsal said the investigation is “just getting started.”
“The determination all of these professionals showed while working through this horrific scene is something we will not forget,” he added.
