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Officers say they found 117 canine remains, along with skulls, bones and microchips, during a search of the sanctuary grounds
Police have uncovered the remains of more than 100 dogs on the grounds of a ‘no-kill’ animal shelter in California.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) recovered 117 intact dogs from the open fields at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary in Fortuna.
In a press release, HCSO said it had searched the grounds and buildings for ‘evidence related to animal cruelty and fraud’, which included the excavation of the fields for ‘evidence of deceased dogs believed to be buried in mass graves’.
Officers found 117 intact canine remains from two dig sites as well as ‘21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones, and six loose microchips’ at another site near where the dogs had been found.
Police also said they found around 600 dog collars.
Investigators have said the dogs were ‘in various stages of decomposition’ and that x-rays carried out on 70 of the animals revealed ‘evidence of bullet fragments’.
Sheriff William F. Honsal said in a statement: “This investigation is just getting started. There is a tremendous amount of data to process, witnesses to interview, and evidence to examine. The Major Crimes Division is laser focused on this case and will continue working with our state and federal partners to examine every lead.