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A search of a no-kill rescue operation in Northern California uncovered more than 100 buried dog carcasses, many with evidence of bullet fragments, authorities said.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division announced that it executed a search warrant at Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna, Calif., looking for “evidence of animal abuse and fraud” and evidence of dogs believed to be buried in a mass grave.
The investigation into the Miranda rescue began in April when the sheriff’s office received “credible information” about possible animal abuse, mistreatment, fraud and conspiracy in the rescue operation, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators executed the first search warrant on May 1 and interviewed other rescuers and witnesses. As a result of the investigation, hundreds of dogs were surrendered to Miranda’s Rescue, but a significant number were found to be missing.
Another search warrant, which included the excavation of a vacant lot on the property, was executed from June 23 to June 25, according to the sheriff’s office.
The search uncovered 117 intact dog remains in various stages of decomposition at two excavation sites. Investigators X-rayed 70 dogs and found evidence of bullet fragments. Most dogs were also microchipped. The sheriff’s office said 70 dogs were examined by a forensic veterinarian and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, adding that the remaining dogs could not be examined due to time constraints but were collected as evidence.
“Based on these tests, investigators have preliminary determined that the cause of death in many of these animals was gunshot wounds,” the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said in a June 26 statement.
At another nearby excavation site, investigators found 21 dog skulls, hundreds of bones and six unused microchips, according to the sheriff’s office. A dog was also found dead in a state of advanced decomposition, but investigators decided to leave it in its final resting place due to decomposition.
Investigators are examining the recovered microchip to determine the dog’s identity. Microchips are often used to register pets with owners or organizations so they can be contacted if they are found.
Inside a barn on the property, authorities discovered where the dogs were most likely killed and more than 600 dog collars.
The sheriff’s office said a full investigation will take time to determine if there is enough evidence to support criminal charges.
“This investigation is just beginning,” said Sheriff William Honsal. “There is a tremendous amount of data to process, witnesses to interview, and evidence to examine. … We are grateful to the county, state, and federal investigation teams. We are also grateful to the private forensic veterinarians who performed the autopsies at the scene. The determination that all of these professionals showed in moving through this horrific scene will be one we will never forget.”
Miranda’s Rescue says on its website that it is a “no-kill rescue, adoption and shelter that brings relief to hundreds of suffering, neglected, abused and abandoned animals, large and small, each year.” According to the site, the rescue operation is taking place on a 50-acre site in Fortuna, a town of about 12,500 people in Northern California.
USA TODAY has requested comment.
The organization’s founder, Shannon Miranda, posted a statement on the Miranda’s Rescue website on June 18, before the latest search warrant led to the discovery of the dead dog’s body.
Miranda said the rescue has established itself as a no-kill facility because it does not euthanize animals to save space, but it may euthanize animals due to terminal illnesses or behavioral issues that pose a danger to others. Miranda said there have been two recent incidents that have resulted in intense investigations, both involving dogs that were deemed dangerous to other dogs and had to be euthanized.
“My staff, volunteers, and I love the animals in our care. We work tirelessly to rehabilitate them and find them as safe and suitable homes as possible. Unfortunately, not all animals can be safely rehabilitated or placed in home environments. Some have attacked other animals, threatened staff, or exhibited severe behavioral distress that makes it impossible to care for them,” Miranda said in a statement.
