Deputies uncovered the remains of more than 100 dogs, many of them with gunshot wounds, during a search of an animal rescue under investigation for alleged abuse and fraud.
While executing a search warrant, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office made the gruesome discovery at Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna, California on Thursday.
In what Sheriff William Honsal dubbed as a "horrific scene," investigators uncovered 117 "canine remains," skulls, "hundreds of bones, and six loose microchips" at various dig sites on the property, according to a alleged animal cruelty and fraud, including excavating open fields where investigators believed deceased dogs were buried in mass graves.
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📸 Instagram: dog bodies appeared to be in varying states of decomposition. X-ray results revealed several dogs showed evidence of bullet fragments, deputies say.
Investigators also discovered an area inside a barn on the property where they believe the dogs were killed. More than 600 dog collars were recovered from that same location.
Currently, no charges have been filed. However, the sheriff's office said, "If there is sufficient evidence to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be submitted to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges."
In a recent public The investigation is ongoing.