A total of six canines that were previously housed at Palm Springs Animal Shelter were among the 117 dogs found dead at a Humboldt County sanctuary during an animal cruelty and fraud investigation, shelter officials said Monday.
In late June, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division served a second search warrant at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, at 1603 Sandy Prairie Road in the city of Fortuna, where they found 117 intact canine remains from two dig sites in the area, and an additional 21 canine skulls and hundreds of bones. Based on evidence of found bullet fragments, investigators said most of the dogs were shot.
Investigators said they believe an unspecified number of dogs were killed inside a barn near the area, and more than 600 dog collars were found.
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter established a partnership with Miranda’s Rescue in the fall of 2024, and it transferred a total of 35 animals to the rescue organization. Shelter officials said last month that only two dogs originally from Palm Springs — Felicia and Farkle — were discovered. However, investigators informed the organization of four additional canine remains that were discovered through registered microchips.
“Today, we mourn the loss of Mabel, Creek, Fergus and Ãclair, along with Felicia and Farkle, who were previously identified through the investigation,” the shelter posted on social media Monday.
Shelter officials believed the transferred dogs were being provided with a safe space and had positive outcomes following reports from Miranda’s Rescue.
“Mabel, Creek, Fergus and Ãclair were healthy, behaviorally sound dogs who we believed had every opportunity to find loving homes. … In fact, Miranda’s Rescue had previously reported to us that both Mabel and Fergus had been adopted and provided updates that supported those claims,” according to the shelter.
“While the investigation remains ongoing, we remain committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to share verified information as it becomes possible,” officials said.