Live Press Conference: Sheriff Set to Reveal Details in Miranda’s Rescue Investigation

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is holding a press conference Monday afternoon on its investigation into Miranda’s Rescue, the Fortuna animal sanctuary at the center of allegations of animal cruelty and fraud.

The briefing begins at 2 p.m. and will be livestreamed on the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. Redheaded Blackbelt will embed the livestream below and update this post as information becomes available.

Video of today’s press conference about Miranda’s Rescue held by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department. 

The investigation into Shannon Miranda and Miranda’s Rescue, located on Sandy Prairie Road in Fortuna, spans multiple agencies, including the HCSO, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the California Department of Justice and the California Attorney General’s office.

Last week investigators executing a search warrant excavated the property over three days and recovered the remains of 117 dogs, along with more than 600 dog collars and bullet fragments, according to HCSO. Many of the recovered animals had microchips, which investigators are working to match with previous owners and the shelters that transferred the dogs.

From January 2025 until April 2026, Miranda’s Rescue took in 918 animals, Sheriff Billy Honsal said. Of those, 116 were recorded as adopted and 71 dogs were on the property when investigators served a search warrant on May 1. That, by HCSO’s account, leaves 731 animals unaccounted for. With 117 remains recovered from the property, the majority of the 731 are still unaccounted for. Investigators have not said how long the animals had been buried.

Miranda’s Rescue operated under contracts with multiple municipalities and animal shelters across California, including the cities of Fortuna, Ferndale and Rio Dell, as well as Oakland Animal Services, Contra Costa County and others, according to the search warrant affidavit authored by HCSO Detective Julian Aguilera. Shelter transfer fees often ranged from $400 – $1000 per dog.

Shannon Miranda has not been arrested or charged. He has denied the allegations. The investigation is ongoing.

Updates to follow.

2 p.m.: The press conference has begun. Sheriff Honsal is speaking to members of the press.
2:09 p.m: 

Honsal said that the remains excavated from the two dig sites last week were from January 2026 – April 2026. The excavated sites were layered graves with multiple animals in varying states of decomposition. Ninety-one microchips were recovered, including six loose microchips located in the soil excavated. Investigators are tracking those microchips back to shelters and private owners.

2:15 p.m.: Honsal has asked the public to continue submitting tips and information to HCSO but cautioned about online speculation. This case, he said, will be investigated through the appropriate channels not in online forums.

This is an active, ongoing case.

2:20 p.m.: The remains removed from the Sandy Prairie Road property, along with those recovered by Jenna Moore and Jennifer Raymond on April 26, remain housed in cold storage by HCSO as evidence.

2:21 p.m.: When asked if evidence gathered from the initial trespassed admittedly committed by Moore and Raymond, would be admissible in court, Honsal said that would be a determination for the District Attorney. HCSO’s job is to gather the evidence before presenting to the DA’s Office.

2:24 p.m.: Honsal told the press that investigators located other mass graves, however, the decomposition state of the animals, there was no evidentiary value to removing the remains from the sites. At this time, he states that there are no plans to return to the property. If the investigation warrants a return, HCSO will seek a search warrant to return.

2:27 p.m.: In Honsal’s opinion, the number of deceased dogs during the suspected period between January to April this year, is outside the norm of expected euthanized animals for a rescue this size in a four-month time frame.

2:30 p.m.: The two dogs that Sacramento County Animal Control attempted to remove from Miranda’s Rescue care on June 25, are still in his care.

2:33 p.m.: Honsal says, “The state has to step up” in regard to monitoring rescues, stating accountability is needed.

2:34 p.m.: Regardless of the shock around shooting an animal as a form of euthanasia, it is not against the law unless proven to be done in a malicious manner, Honsal said.

2:36 p.m.: The sheriff said that if this case proves to be criminal, determining how long the alleged killing of animals for profit will become an aspect of the case.

2:38 p.m.: Honsal is asking for the public’s patience during this “complex case” as investigators sort through the evidence. There is no current time frame on how long this investigation could take.

2:42 p.m.: 

When asked about the public believing ongoing support needs to continue for Miranda’s Rescue to care for the animals, Honsal said that rumors that the rescue had ran out of food was untrue. Also, the county, he said, has a plan in place to care for the animals if Shannon Miranda decides he can no longer care for them.

2:43 p.m.: The press conference has ended.

Images provided by HCSO of the excavation of a small portion of the Miranda’s Rescue Fortuna property. 

Update 3 p.m.: Speaking to Redheaded Blackbelt reporter, Ryan Hutson, after the press conference, Jenna Moore stated that she believes the sheriff’s office is doing a great job. She thinks that the public should give them space and time to thoroughly investigate these claims.

Additionally, if members of the public have questions and/or information regarding animals surrendered or adopted from Miranda’s Rescue, they should reach out to HCSO with that information as soon as possible to be included in the investigation.

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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
  • Excavation at Miranda’s Rescue Appears to Have Wrapped After Three Days; Dozens of Remains Confirmed, Sources Say Far More
  • ‘Far From Over’: Sheriff Says Miranda’s Rescue Investigation Enters New Phase as Investigators Process Recovered Microchips
  • No One Is Checking: Inside California’s Unregulated Animal Rescue System