Mass Graves at Humboldt County Rescue Reveal 117 Dog Remains, Many Shot

A grim discovery on the grounds of a once‑celebrated no‑kill shelter has sent shockwaves through California. In a three‑day excavation last week, investigators unearthed 117 dog remains, many bearing gunshot wounds, buried between January and April of 2026 on the property of a Humboldt County animal rescue in Fortuna.

The rescue, which has operated since 1998, was described as a “no‑kill” facility. The investigation began after animal advocates trespassed on the property in April and found the first group of dead dogs. According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the bodies were part of a broader pattern that may involve animal cruelty, fraud, and a conspiracy to make money by killing dogs to make room for new arrivals.

During the excavation, investigators recovered more than 600 dog collars, a site marked by blood spatter that they believe was a killing area, and over 90 microchips. Authorities are scanning the chips to identify the animals and notify shelters and former owners.

"The facts that have been uncovered are deeply disturbing," said Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal. He added that the investigation involves local, state and federal partners, including the FBI, and that if sufficient evidence is found, the case will be submitted to prosecutors. The rescue has not responded to repeated requests for comment.

Since the beginning of 2025, the rescue has transferred 918 dogs onto its grounds. Of those, 116 were adopted, 71 are alive, and 731 remain unaccounted for. The 117 bodies recovered could account for a portion of the missing animals.

Animal law professor Matthew Liebman, who has worked with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, said the case highlights the complexities of “no‑kill” claims. "Simply holding oneself out as no‑kill, as we see in this case, is not a guarantee that animals aren’t suffering or even that they’re not being killed," he said.

Managing attorney Emily Lewis of the Animal Legal Defense Fund described the case as "horrific." "This is a horrific case, in which it appears a substantial number of dogs were likely killed," Lewis said. "Justice requires an exhaustive and meticulous approach to crime scene data, and that’s where veterinary forensics comes in."

The investigation also includes a review of whether partner shelters had any knowledge of the alleged activity. Several Bay Area shelters have cut ties with the rescue after reports of the investigation, and families who had paid the rescue to care for and adopt out pets they could no longer keep are also involved.

The rescue remains open, and no charges have been filed as of this writing. The sheriff’s office said it will continue to balance the public’s right to know with the constitutional and legal rights of everyone involved.

The case is still in its third month, and investigators are working to piece together a timeline of the deaths, identify the animals, and determine whether the allegations of cruelty and fraud are substantiated. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet announced any criminal charges. The rescue’s future and the fate of the missing dogs remain uncertain.