By admin 
FORTUNA, Calif. (Gray News) – More than 100 dead dogs were found at an animal rescue shelter in California.
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The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office recovered dead dogs, many with gunshot wounds, in dig sites at Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna, according to a press release.
The sheriff’s office searched the grounds and buildings associated with the animal rescue and founder Shannon Miranda for evidence related to animal cruelty and fraud.
Investigators recovered remains of 117 dogs from two dig sites and an additional 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones and six loose microchips at another nearby dig site connected to the animal rescue.
Examinations conducted on site by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and forensic veterinarians preliminarily determined that gunshot wounds were the cause of death for many of those dogs.
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The remaining 47 dead dogs were not examined on site due to time constraints. However, all 117 dead dogs were taken in as evidence.
Analysts are reviewing data to identify dogs that were microchipped.
Investigators located additional dead dogs in the same field but did not remove them due to their advanced stage of decomposition.
Authorities also located an area inside a barn where they believe the dogs were likely killed. More than 600 dog collars were found in the area.
“This investigation is just getting started. There is a tremendous amount of data to process, witnesses to interview, and evidence to examine,” Sheriff William F. Honsal said in a statement. “The determination all of these professionals showed while working through this horrific scene is something we will not forget,” he added.
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