Shannon Miranda, the owner and founder of Miranda’s Rescue, has ceased allowing regular inspections of his facility by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office’s Animal Control division. This decision comes after the nonprofit animal rescue resumed operations following a temporary suspension of its conditional use permit.
Read More
The inspections had begun as part of a multi-agency criminal investigation into allegations of animal abuse, fraud, and theft at the Fortuna organization. Sheriff William Honsal previously mentioned that animal control officers and a veterinarian were visiting the premises three times a week to monitor the animals. However, activists Jennifer Raymond and Jenna Moore, who initiated the investigation, recently observed that these inspections appeared to have stopped.
Erin Inskip, a public information officer with the Sheriff’s Office, confirmed via email that access to the property had been denied by Miranda, halting further inspections. Inskip noted that the Sheriff’s Office does not have the legal authority to demand access.
Miranda stated that he followed his attorney Allison Jackson's advice to stop the inspections, claiming that the past three months have demonstrated that the animals are in good health. He raised questions about the purpose of inspections if no animals had been removed for abuse or neglect. He also noted that local veterinarian Dr. Patricia Garrison continues to monitor the animals weekly, finding no signs of malnourishment or illness.
Miranda expressed frustration regarding the Sheriff’s Office not publicly disclosing inspection results, questioning the effectiveness of the inspections if no positive information was shared with the public. He reassured that the animals remained healthy and that he has always acted in their best interest.
Raymond, a neighbor who has closely monitored Miranda's operations, expressed frustration that law enforcement allowed Miranda to refuse inspections. She emphasized that animal control should maintain the authority to oversee animal welfare operations, arguing that the conditional use permit for Miranda’s Rescue should not have been granted nor reinstated.
The conditional use permit is currently under review, with Miranda’s Rescue required to comply with its terms by the end of the month. Miranda clarified that he is not completely denying law enforcement access, stating that he would allow inspections if legitimate complaints arise.
Inskip from the Sheriff's Office acknowledged public concerns regarding the situation, affirming their commitment to a thorough investigation in collaboration with state and federal authorities. She noted that the complexity of the case necessitates a careful examination of all evidence before making any decisions regarding potential criminal charges.