Overview
- Investigators used ground-penetrating radar and began digging at the Fortuna property on Tuesday, uncovering many decomposing dogs, skeletal remains and a horse that forensic teams are documenting.
- Sheriff William Honsal said investigators identified about 900 animals transferred to Miranda’s Rescue since January 2025 but have confirmed roughly 116 adoptions, leaving more than 700 animals unaccounted for.
- The probe is a coordinated local, state and federal effort that includes the Humboldt County District Attorney, the California Attorney General’s Office, the DOJ, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the USDA, with Cal Poly Humboldt anthropologists and forensic veterinarians assisting.
- A May 1 search warrant seized firearms, electronics and records and earlier recovered at least eight dead dogs, some appearing to have gunshot wounds, material now being compared with new evidence from the excavation.
- No arrests or charges have been filed and the rescue remains open with about 50 animals under regular monitoring while investigators scan microchips, perform necropsies and cross-check records to prepare evidence for prosecutors.