Mass Graves, Hundreds Of Dogs Missing And No Arrests: 5 Things To Know About CA Animal Cruelty Investigation

What began with two animal welfare advocates reporting suspicions that dogs were being slain and secretly buried at a remote Humboldt County rescue has evolved into a sweeping investigation spanning more than 20 California counties, Hawaii, dozens of shelters, and multiple state and federal agencies.

So far, local and federal investigators have excavated more than 100 dead animals from mass graves at the Humboldt County rescue. As detectives search for more than 730 missing animals, they are examining what shelters believed would happen to the dogs they transferred to Miranda's Rescue and whether those organizations were victims of an alleged fraud.

Accountability and transparency are necessary, Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said Monday during a press conference. But, Honsal added, the case would not be solved in the public forum. "It will be handled through the criminal justice system and, if appropriate, a court of law," he said.

"I'm asking everyone to take a breath in this time."

RELATED: Investigation Into Missing Miranda Rescue Dogs Now Targeting Bigger Question

Here are five things to know about the investigation and fallout involving Miranda's Rescue.

1. Investigators have uncovered a suspected mass burial site.

Federal, state, and local investigators recovered 117 intact canine remains from two burial sites at Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna, along with 21 canine skulls, hundreds of additional bones, and six loose microchips. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and forensic veterinarians X-rayed 70 of the recovered dogs, finding bullet fragments in many of them. Investigators have preliminarily determined that gunshot wounds caused the deaths of many of the animals, although forensic examinations are continuing.

2. More than 730 transferred animals remain missing.

Investigators say shelters across California transferred more than 900 animals to Miranda's Rescue since January 2025, often paying transfer fees ranging from hundreds to several thousand dollars per animal. Authorities have verified only 116 adoptions, leaving roughly 730 animals unaccounted for. The investigation now involves shelters throughout California and Hawaii.

3. Investigators are looking for crimes beyond animal cruelty.

Sheriff William Honsal said investigators are pursuing allegations of animal cruelty, fraud, theft, and conspiracy. Authorities are examining whether shelters were misled into believing transferred animals would be adopted when some may instead have been euthanized. Investigators say the shelters themselves may be victims of the alleged fraud. No arrests have been made, and Miranda's Rescue owner Shannon Miranda has not been charged.

4. The investigation exposed a major oversight gap in California.

Miranda's Rescue operated as an unlicensed animal sanctuary rather than a licensed public animal shelter. Because sanctuaries are largely unregulated, authorities cannot simply revoke a license or immediately close the operation. The case has drawn new attention to California's reliance on private rescue organizations that accept animals from overcrowded public shelters while operating outside direct government oversight.

5. Animals remain at the sanctuary.

About 50 live animals—including dogs, cats, and birds—remain at the sanctuary, where investigators continue documenting their condition and care. The Sheriff's Office has assigned two detectives and a sergeant full time to the case and is working alongside the FBI, California Department of Justice, California Attorney General's Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Office of Inspector General, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, and forensic veterinary specialists.

When the investigation concludes, evidence will be submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office, the California Attorney General's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California to determine whether criminal charges will be filed. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at (707) 445-7251.