117 dead dogs found at California 'no-kill' animal rescue - many with gunshot wounds

On Friday, the sheriff's office announced that the intact remains of 117 dogs were found in two excavated areas on the property, which is located in Fortuna, California - about 288 miles (463kms) north of San Francisco. A search of the 50-acre (20,000m) facility also led investigators to an additional 21 dog skulls and hundreds of other bones. Six loose microchips were found in another dig location near where the remains were discovered, authorities said. Seventy bodies were X-rayed and found with bullet fragments. Investigators said that initial examinations found that the cause of death for many of those animals was gunshot wounds. The sheriff's office said that while digging in the northern area of the same field, investigators located additional dead dogs in advanced stages of decomposition. The department also said it discovered a barn where they believe "the dogs were likely killed". Most of the deceased dogs were microchipped and analysts are reviewing the data from them to identify the dogs associated with those chips. Miranda, who is not facing charges in the case, said in a statement before the new findings on the property that his facility was a "no-kill rescue" and refuted accusations included in the media and by authorities. He said that other shelters often turn to rescues like his as a last resort for harder-to-place animals. He maintained that Miranda's Rescue "is a no-kill rescue". …