Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal says investigators excavated 117 buried dogs tied to Miranda’s Rescue, with evidence that many may have been shot. The sheriff provided the update after a second search warrant was served at the shelter last week, and sai
When investigators got through the dirt, the numbers were immediate—and heavy. Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal told reporters today that his team excavated 117 dogs from two burial holes at Miranda’s Rescue as the investigation intensifies.
“This is an ongoing investigation,” Honsal said during a press conference. “We excavated 117 dogs out of those two holes.” He described what investigators found as the work moved deeper: “The deepest was about 12 to 15 feet deep. The dogs were layered.” He said the arrangement suggested different periods of burial. and that—based on evidence—authorities determined the dogs were buried “sometime after January. ” between January and April 2026.
Honsal said 70 of the dogs were X-rayed on site. Many of those X-rays showed evidence of bullet fragments, and veterinarians on the scene preliminarily determined that many of the dogs died from gunshot wounds.
The investigation also uncovered microchips. In total. Honsal said. “91 microchips were recovered from the scene.” He added that six microchips were found in a “loose-dirt area where the bones were discovered. ” the same area where investigators discovered “the 29 canine skulls and hundreds of dog bones.” Authorities said six loose microchips were found in that area and 85 microchips were scanned from the 117 intact dogs.
Honsal said many of the microchips traced back to shelters and rescue facilities throughout the state. He told reporters that analysts are currently reviewing the data and investigators are working to connect case information to prior owners of the dogs.
He also said eight animals originally turned over to the Sheriff’s Office by two concerned citizens are being held in storage. Those animals, along with the recovered carcasses, are being held as evidence, Honsal said, and “the eight previously taken, we have necropsies.”
The sheriff’s remarks came after a second search warrant was served at the rescue shelter last week, following earlier investigative steps tied to what authorities are calling the ongoing Miranda’s Rescue probe.
Honsal said the case includes an active fraud investigation. “We’re looking at all aspects of this case to determine what applicable laws could have been broken,” he said. He added that the investigation team will review records and. at the conclusion of the inquiry. present evidence to the prosecution team “to see if there are any violations of the law.”.
At this time, Shannon Miranda has not been charged with anyone and is still legally able to operate his shelter.
Humboldt County Miranda’s Rescue William Honsal Shannon Miranda buried dogs microchips gunshot wounds fraud investigation California animal cruelty investigation
117 buried dogs?? That’s beyond messed up. I hope they throw the book at whoever did that.
So they “x-rayed” the dogs and found bullet fragments… I mean how does that even happen if it was just a rescue. This is gonna get buried like the dogs did.
Wait, I thought the owner already got charged? It says he can still operate, which feels crazy like the system is slow. Also microchips… so like does that mean the dogs were stolen first? I’m confused.
Bullet fragments on X-ray doesn’t mean they were shot, right? Could’ve been from something else or prior injuries, but 12-15 feet layered is just… ugh. Fraud investigation too like, so was the shelter taking money and not treating animals? Not saying that’s what happened just seems like it.