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".

He said the rescue has only euthanised animals in rare circumstances, not "simply to make space", and only in cases when an animal is suffering from a terminal condition or when it poses a serious, ongoing danger to people or other animals.

The sheriff's office has asked the public for patience as they continue to investigate, noting the probe is complex and there is a lot of evidence to process. No charges have been filed in the two-month investigation.

"If there is sufficient evidence to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be submitted to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges," the department said in a statement.