I’m sipping my coffee and reading about a “no-kill” animal shelter in California, and folks, I almost spilled my coffee when I saw the headlines. Apparently, the remains of at least 117 dogs were found on the grounds of Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, and many of them had gunshot wounds. I mean, what’s going on here? The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said they discovered 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones, and other remains during their search of the 50-acre facility in Fortuna, California. It’s just horrific.
The sheriff’s office started investigating the shelter after receiving “credible information” in April about allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy. Investigators found an area in a barn where they believe dogs were likely killed, and nearby, they found over 600 dog collars. It’s just mind-boggling. Sheriff William Honsal called it a “horrific scene,” and I couldn’t agree more. No charges have been filed yet, but I’m sure that’s coming soon.
The shelter’s founder, Shannon Miranda, posted a statement on the shelter’s website saying that recent media coverage and online commentary “have presented an incomplete and, in some cases, inaccurate picture of our work.” She claimed that the shelter’s mission is to save as many animals as they safely can, always balancing compassion for animals with their responsibility to protect families, children, other pets, and the public. But it’s hard to reconcile that with the fact that investigators found all those dog remains with gunshot wounds.
Miranda’s Rescue collects fees from shelter transfers, as well as donations that supposedly help cover the costs of food, housing, veterinary care, medications, facility expenses, and staffing. But it seems like something fishy is going on. An affidavit from an earlier search of the property said that the sheriff’s office was tipped off by a pair of animal advocates who used trail cameras to monitor activity near an alleged burial site. They even dug up dog remains themselves. It’s like something out of a horror movie.
The investigation is still ongoing, and Sheriff Honsal said, “This investigation is just getting started.” They have a lot of data to process, witnesses to interview, and evidence to examine. Investigators used ground-penetrating radar to find 117 intact remains in various stages of decomposition buried in an open field. They X-rayed 70 of the remains on site and found evidence of bullet fragments in many of them. The cause of death for many of those animals appeared to be gunshot wounds. It’s just heartbreaking.
The sheriff’s office said hundreds of dogs were transferred or turned over to Miranda’s Rescue by private citizens and animal shelters. But it seems like the shelter wasn’t living up to its “no-kill” promise. Miranda said in a statement, “Miranda’s Rescue is a no-kill rescue. We do not euthanize animals simply to make space.” However, she did say that there are rare circumstances in which euthanasia may be necessary, such as when an animal is suffering from a terminal condition or poses a serious danger to people or other animals. But it’s hard to believe that’s what happened here.
In conclusion, this whole story is just devastating. I mean, who expects to find a mass grave of dogs at a “no-kill” animal shelter? It’s just shocking. And the fact that the shelter’s founder is trying to defend their actions is just astonishing. I guess you could say that Miranda’s Rescue is a real “killer” of a shelter – but not in a good way. Bless their hearts, indeed.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
