June 29, 2026, 3:42 p.mJune 29, 2026, 3:49 p.m
Local law enforcement investigators discovered the remains of at least 117 dogs at an animal shelter in California. The sheriff’s office announced the discovery in a statement; several US media outlets subsequently reported on it.
The authorities were called to the animal shelter by animal rights activists on suspicion of animal cruelty and fraud. The police then searched the area, including with the help of ground radar. The remains of at least 117 dogs were found in various stages of decomposition. Many of them carried fragments of projectiles.
According to the statement, the cause of death for many of the dogs was probably a gunshot wound. The carcasses had been buried in an open field.
Particularly explosive: The animal shelter sells itself as a “no-kill shelter”. Usually no animals are killed in such homes. The operator rejects allegations in this regard: reports about his home have painted “an incomplete and sometimes inaccurate picture of our work”.
His goal is to “safely save as many animals as possible.” Care should always be taken to balance compassion for animals with responsibility for the safety of families, children, other pets and the public.
The operator also writes that no animals are killed in this animal shelter just to “make space”. However, there are rare cases in which targeted killing may be necessary – for example if an animal suffers from an incurable disease or poses a danger to other animals or people.
(cpf)