A well-known animal shelter in California that claims to be a "No-Kill" facility was raided by police after suspicions arose about hundreds of dogs taken in but mysteriously vanished. Excavations uncovered 117 buried dog carcasses, many showing signs of gunshot wounds, along with over 600 dog collars.
U.S. officials discovered at least 117 dog remains on the grounds of Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, which markets itself as a "No-Kill" shelter located outside Fortuna in Northern California. Preliminary examinations found many dogs bore evidence of gunshot injuries.
Humboldt County authorities reported that the excavation has been completed after officials conducted a search under a warrant to gather evidence related to animal cruelty and fraud. Multiple sites believed to be mass animal burial grounds were excavated.
During the search of approximately 125 acres, officials used ground-penetrating radar to detect irregularities beneath the surface before digging up 117 dog carcasses in varying stages of decomposition, buried in two large pits. Nearby, they also uncovered 21 additional dog skulls, hundreds of bone fragments, and six detached microchips.
Seventy of the carcasses were immediately X-rayed onsite, revealing numerous metal fragments resembling bullet parts. Officials indicated initial evidence suggests many dogs died from gunshot wounds. The remaining 47 carcasses were preserved as evidence for further examination, as officials could not process them all onsite in time.
The search also revealed a barn on the property believed by authorities to be the location where the dogs were killed. In the same area, over 600 dog collars were found.
Officials noted that most of the dogs had implanted microchips, and the analysis team is currently reviewing the data to identify the animals and link them to those previously brought to the shelter.
Investigations found that since early 2025, the shelter had taken in about 900 animals, mostly transferred from shelters in the San Francisco Bay Area, receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding. However, records show only 116 animals were adopted out, leaving over 700 unaccounted for.
The case began in April when a neighbor admitted to trespassing on the property and digging up what they believed were buried dog remains, prompting authorities to conduct a formal investigation.
Shannon Miranda, the founder and operator of the shelter who has not been charged, issued a statement affirming that Miranda’s Rescue is genuinely a "No-Kill" animal sanctuary, denying the allegations reported in the media and by government agencies.
He stated that the shelter typically cares for animals with behavioral issues or those that other centers cannot place, and insisted that euthanasia is never used to make room for new arrivals, except in necessary cases such as terminal illness or serious risks to humans and other animals.
Humboldt County officials said the investigation remains complex and requires time to review extensive evidence. So far, no charges have been filed against Miranda or shelter staff, but if sufficient evidence of animal cruelty, fraud, or other legal violations emerges, the case will be referred to prosecutors for criminal proceedings.