Authorities have discovered the remains of 117 dogs at a California animal rescue facility that advertised itself as "no-kill." The discovery was announced Friday by the sheriff's office, which is investigating allegations of animal cruelty, fraud, and theft.
Excavations on the 50-acre property in Fortuna, California, revealed intact dog remains in two areas, along with an additional 21 dog skulls and hundreds of other bones. Seventy of the dog bodies, upon X-ray, were found to contain bullet fragments, with initial examinations suggesting gunshot wounds as the cause of death for many of the animals. Investigators also found a barn on the property where they believe the dogs may have been killed.
Most of the deceased dogs were microchipped, and officials are reviewing the data to identify them. The owner of the rescue, who is not currently facing charges, stated that his facility was a "no-kill rescue" and refuted accusations from authorities and media. He asserted that the rescue only euthanizes animals in rare circumstances, such as terminal conditions or when an animal poses a serious danger to people or other animals, and not simply to create space.
The investigation, which has been ongoing for two months, is described as complex due to the extensive evidence to process. The sheriff's office has requested public patience and indicated that if sufficient evidence of animal cruelty, fraud, or other law violations is found, the case will be submitted for criminal charges.