Investigators have found the remains of 117 dogs in various states of decomposition – many of which were found with gunshot wounds – on the grounds of a purported “no-kill” animal shelter in northern California.

Authorities excavated open fields at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary for evidence of animals believed to be buried in mass graves, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said. About 600 dog collars were also located.

Officials had been investigating potential fraud or animal cruelty after hundreds of animals were discovered missing from the facility.

The sanctuary owner has asked the public to “consider all the facts before reaching conclusions”.

The shelter’s owner and operator Shannon Miranda has said in an online statement before the discovery on the property that media coverage and online commentary about the case “have presented an incomplete and, in some cases, inaccurate picture” of the facility.

The BBC has reached out to the rescue. Miranda is not facing any criminal charges in the probe.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the rescue in April after receiving “credible information” regarding allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy associated with Miranda’s Rescue.

Local media outlets report the probe was launched after a neighbour admitted to entering the property without permission in April and dug up what they believed were buried dogs.

The Investigation led to findings that the rescue had brought in 900 animals since the start of 2025 and only had 116 adoptions, Sheriff William Honsal said. More than 700 animals were unaccounted for.

On Friday, the sheriff’s office announced that the intact remains of 117 dogs were found in two excavated areas on the property, which is located in Fortuna, California – about 288 miles (463kms) north of San Francisco.

A search of the 50-acre (20,000m) facility also led investigators to an additional 21 dog skulls and hundreds of other bones. Six loose microchips were found in another dig location near where the remains were discovered, authorities said.

Seventy bodies were X-rayed and found with bullet fragments. Investigators said that initial examinations found that the cause of death for many of those animals was gunshot wounds.

The sheriff's office said that while digging in the northern area of the same field, investigators located additional dead dogs in advanced stages of decomposition.

The department also said it discovered a barn where they believe “the dogs were likely killed”.

Most of the deceased dogs were microchipped and analysts are reviewing the data from them to identify the dogs associated with those chips.

Miranda said in a statement before the new findings on the property that his facility was a “no-kill rescue” and refuted accusations included in the media and by authorities.

He said that other shelters often turn to rescues like his as a last resort for harder-to-place animals. He maintained that Miranda’s Rescue “is a no-kill rescue”.

He said the rescue has only euthanised animals in rare circumstances, not “simply to make space”, and only in cases when an animal is suffering from a terminal condition or when it poses a serious, ongoing danger to people or other animals.

The sheriff's office has asked the public for patience as they continue to investigate, noting the probe is complex and there is a lot of evidence to process. No charges have been filed in the two-month investigation.

“If there is sufficient evidence to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be submitted to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges,” the department said in a statement. (BBC)

•Investigators search for animal remains as part of an active investigation into alleged animal cruelty, fraud and theft in Fortuna, California

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