Miranda’s Rescue investigation took a grim turn this week as the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office uncovered scores of dead dogs, scattered skulls, and hundreds of bones buried on the grounds of a California animal sanctuary. Authorities describe the discovery as the early stage of what promises to be a long and complex case.

A Disturbing Discovery

On June 25, 2026, the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division carried out a second search warrant operation and follow-up investigation at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, located on Sandy Prairie Road in Fortuna, California.

The warrant gave investigators authority to search the property’s grounds and buildings, as well as records tied to the sanctuary and to Shannon Miranda, in connection with allegations of animal cruelty and fraud. Crucially, it also permitted the excavation of open fields where deceased dogs were believed to be buried in mass graves.

How Investigators Searched the Property

The team concentrated on the open field along the eastern edge of the property. To pinpoint possible burial sites, crews surveyed the area using ground-penetrating radar, which flagged several locations where the soil showed irregularities. Specialized teams then excavated those spots.

The results were staggering. From two dig sites, investigators recovered 117 intact canine remains. A separate nearby location yielded an additional 21 canine skulls, hundreds of loose bones, and six microchips.

Evidence of Gunshot Wounds

The recovered dogs were found in varying stages of decomposition. On site, 70 of them were X-rayed, and many of those images revealed bullet fragments. Most of the animals had been microchipped, and analysts are now working through that data in an effort to identify the dogs linked to each chip.

The same 70 dogs were examined on scene by USDA and forensic veterinarians. Based on those evaluations, investigators preliminarily concluded that gunshot wounds were the cause of death for many of the animals. Because of time constraints, the remaining 47 dogs were not examined at the scene, but all 117 were collected as evidence.

Remains Left in Place

While excavating the northern portion of the same field, investigators came across more deceased dogs in advanced stages of decomposition. After consulting with the prosecution team, they decided that removing these remains would offer little additional evidentiary value given their condition. Rather than disturb them further, investigators documented the location and observations and then covered the site, leaving the animals undisturbed.

A Suspected Killing Site

The investigation also led authorities inside a barn, where they identified an area believed to be where the dogs were likely killed. In that same space, investigators found more than 600 dog collars, a detail that deepened the troubling scope of the case.

The Sheriff’s Response

Sheriff Honsal made clear that the work is far from finished. He emphasized that the investigation is only beginning, with a vast amount of data to process, numerous witnesses to interview, and extensive evidence to examine. He said the Major Crimes Division remains fully focused on the case and will continue collaborating with state and federal partners to follow every lead.

Honsal also expressed gratitude toward the county, state, and federal investigative teams, as well as the private forensic veterinarians who conducted necropsies on site. He praised the determination they showed while working through what he called a horrific scene.

What Comes Next

The Sheriff’s Office cautioned the public that, given the complexity of the case, reviewing the evidence will take considerable time. Once the investigation concludes and all evidence has been thoroughly assessed, the case will be forwarded to the prosecution team for review if there is sufficient support for charges related to animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws.

Officials acknowledged the public’s strong desire for accountability and justice. At the same time, they stressed their responsibility to conduct a complete, impartial, and legally sound investigation that protects the constitutional and legal rights of everyone involved.

Acknowledgments and Public Involvement

The Sheriff’s Office thanked a wide range of partners whose expertise contributed to the operation, including:

• The California Attorney General’s Office and California Department of Justice
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the FBI
• The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office
• The Cal Poly Humboldt Anthropology Department
• The Animal Legal Defense Fund and private forensic veterinarians
• The Yurok Tribal Police Department, which assisted with ground-penetrating radar operations

Anyone with questions, concerns, or information about an animal that was under the care of Miranda’s Rescue is encouraged to reach out to the Sheriff’s Office by email.

Because of heavy media interest, a press conference is scheduled for Monday, June 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Humboldt County Jail Briefing Room in Eureka. Due to limited space, only credentialed members of the press will be granted access.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.