Excavation at Miranda’s Rescue Appears to Have Wrapped After Three Days; Dozens of Remains Confirmed, Sources Say Far More

Investigators carried away the remains of one of the animals recovered during Wednesday’s dig. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

Wednesday: Crews worked to find remains in one of several sites at the scene. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

Property owners bordering Miranda’s property allowed an area of bushes along a mutual fence line to be removed, allowing viewing of the excavation of a portion of the Sandy Prairie Road property after an HCSO vehicle parked on a dirt pile between the previous viewing area and the dig site. [Photo submitted]

A source on scene said line of sight was regained by clearing bushes from the adjacent property. By that time, they said, investigators were in the process of loading up equipment.

How Did This Happen?

A member of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department scans the remains of an animal on the Miranda’s Rescue property in Fortuna for a microchip. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

Jenna Moore told the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors earlier this month that community members had been raising alarms about Miranda’s Rescue for more than 20 years. Complaints were lodged with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 and 2025. And yet, the rescue remains in operation.

There is no state licensing requirement for private animal rescues in California. No regulatory body is charged with verifying that a rescue’s outcomes match its public claims.

Redheaded Blackbelt has reached out to the California Attorney General’s Office — which is an active participant in the investigation — for comment on whether there will be any review of oversight for private rescue operations. The FBI, also active on scene, referred questions to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. We are awaiting responses and will update this story as information becomes available.

Redheaded Blackbelt will continue to provide coverage as this investigation unfolds.

Shannon Miranda has not been charged with any crime. As with anyone under investigation, Miranda is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (707) 268-2539 or submit anonymously at [email protected].

Earlier:

• Search Warrant Served at Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna Amid Animal Abuse and Fraud Investigation
• Paid to Save Them, Accused of Killing Them: The Investigation Into Miranda’s Rescue
• HCSO: Miranda’s Rescue Investigation Remains a Priority
• Miranda’s Rescue Case Sparks Outcry at Supes Meeting
• HCSO Executes New Search Warrant at Miranda’s Rescue, Brings Heavy Equipment to Property
• 731 Animals Unaccounted For: Investigators Dig at Miranda’s Rescue as Remains Recovered
• Pet Cemetery Exhumed: What the Dead Will Reveal