Fifteen dogs from Oakland's city shelter have been found dead in burial pits on a Humboldt County rescue property — and eight of them had already been reported as happily adopted.

Oakland Animal Services sent hundreds of hard-to-place dogs to Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna, trusting operator Shannon Miranda to give them a second chance. Instead, investigators say a court-ordered excavation this summer uncovered 117 sets of canine remains, along with skulls, bones, and microchips, on the rescue's land. Many of the dogs showed signs of gunshot wounds.

Fifteen of those remains matched microchips from Oakland's shelter. According to Friends of Oakland Animal Services, eight of those same dogs — Zora, Corvette, Shaggy, Sunday, Nubbins, Serendipity, Pisco, and Serene — had been reported by Miranda as successfully adopted, complete with photos and messages, months after they had reportedly died. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office opened its investigation into allegations of animal cruelty and fraud on April 22, 2026.

Friends of Oakland Animal Services says it is "very, very hopeful" charges will be filed, according to Executive Director Robin Weinberg, though none have been announced yet. The Humboldt County District Attorney has the power to decide whether Shannon Miranda faces criminal accountability for these dogs and the families who believed they had found homes.

These were not unadoptable animals. Shelter staff describe several of them, like Corvette and Weffy, as gentle and well-behaved — dogs that deserved a real second chance, not a burial pit.

Sign the petition to demand the Humboldt County District Attorney prosecute Shannon Miranda, before another rescue is trusted with animals it has no intention of protecting.