117 Dog Corpses Found at California No-Kill Shelter, Many With Gunshot Wounds

(Central News Agency, Fortuna, California, June 28, Combined News) U.S. authorities said at least 117 dog carcasses were discovered on the grounds of a "no-kill" animal shelter in California, many of them with gunshot wounds.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office said on the 26th that during a search of Miranda's Rescue Animal Sanctuary, a 20-hectare facility in Fortuna, California, investigators also found 21 dog heads, hundreds of bones, and other remains.

The Sheriff's Office stated that investigators discovered a suspected site for killing dogs inside a barn during their search on the 25th. The Sheriff's Office noted that over 600 dog collars were also found nearby.

Sheriff William Honsal described the scene as "horrific." No charges have been filed yet. Media outlets have reached out to the shelter's founder, Shannon Miranda, seeking a response.

Miranda stated in a message posted on the shelter's website on June 18th that recent media reports and online comments "present an incomplete and, in some cases, inaccurate description of our work."

Miranda wrote, "At Miranda's Rescue Animal Sanctuary, our mission is to save as many animals as possible while ensuring safety, always balancing our duty of care for the animals with our responsibility to protect families, children, other pets, and the public."

The Sheriff's Office said it launched an investigation into Miranda's Rescue Animal Sanctuary in April after receiving "credible information" regarding allegations of "felony animal cruelty, animal abuse, fraud, and conspiracy."

Miranda's Rescue Animal Sanctuary charges fees to shelters that refer dogs, accepts public donations, and claims these revenues are used to cover costs for food, housing, veterinary care, medication, facility expenses, and personnel. (Compiled by Chang Hsiao-wen) 1150629

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