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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/