Over 100 Dog Bodies and 600 Dog Collars Found On Miranda’s Rescue Property

Authorities have uncovered disturbing new evidence at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary in Fortuna, California, as a major animal cruelty and fraud investigation continues.

During a second search of the property, investigators excavated areas identified by ground-penetrating radar and recovered 117 intact dog remains from two burial sites. They also discovered 21 canine skulls, hundreds of additional bones, six loose microchips, and more than 600 dog collars inside a barn investigators believe may have been where many of the dogs were killed.

Authorities say approximately 900 dogs were brought to Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary in 2025, and investigators are still working to determine what happened to all of them. So far, 731 dogs remain unaccounted for.

According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, many of the dogs examined on scene showed evidence consistent with gunshot wounds, though forensic examinations are still ongoing. Most of the recovered dogs were microchipped, and investigators are now working to identify them.

The investigation has grown into a major multi-agency effort involving the FBI, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, forensic veterinarians, the California Department of Justice, and other state and federal partners.

As investigators continue examining possible fraud allegations, tax filings reviewed by Redheaded Blackbelt show Miranda’s Rescue reported gross receipts of nearly $1.9 million in 2023, up from about $580,000 in 2011. The filings also show the nonprofit ended 2024 with $28,789 in net assets and more than $422,000 in liabilities, while three executives received salaries ranging from about $67,000 to $106,000.

Despite the discoveries, there are still live animals on the property. Because Miranda’s Rescue operates as an unregulated sanctuary and does not have a state or municipal license, the owner is currently allowed to keep animals there while the investigation proceeds.

Sheriff William Honsal stressed that the case is far from over.

“This investigation is just getting started,” he said. “There is a tremendous amount of data to process, witnesses to interview, and evidence to examine.”

Investigators say it will take considerable time to process the evidence. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to prosecutors, who will determine whether criminal charges—including animal cruelty, fraud, or other violations—are warranted.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking for patience as detectives continue processing what they described as a horrific scene and work to ensure the investigation is thorough, impartial, and legally sound.

Meanwhile, animal advocates have created social media pages to help rescues and former adopters trace dogs that passed through Miranda’s Rescue over the years, hoping to determine whether they were adopted or what became of them.