Two dogs transferred from City of Stockton Animal Services to a Humboldt County rescue were among 117 dogs exhumed from two mass grave sites during an ongoing animal cruelty investigation, Stockton police said in a Wednesday press release.
Investigators used microchips to identify the dogs as Ornament, a 5-year-old, gray-and-white pit bull mix, and Roselle, an 18-month-old brindle pit bull mix. Both were transferred from the Stockton shelter to Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary in Fortuna at the end of March.
The Stockton Police Department did not disclose how the dogs died or when their remains were found.
Officials are mourning the deaths of Ornament and Roselle and say they will continue providing information and assistance to Humboldt County investigators. Animal Services transferred the dogs, believing they would continue toward “a safe and positive future,” police said.
“Receiving this confirmation is incredibly difficult for our Animal Services team,” police officials said in the department’s news release. “Every animal that comes through our shelter matters.”
The confirmation marks the first time Stockton officials have publicly acknowledged that dogs originating from the city shelter were identified among the remains recovered from Miranda’s Rescue.
Stockton officials previously said the city shelter transferred 108 dogs between 2020 and 2026 to Miranda’s Rescue through its rescue partner program. Four dogs that were still living at the Fortuna property — Mulan, Diglett, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Toulouse — were returned to Stockton on July 3 after coordination among local and Humboldt County agencies and the San Francisco SPCA.
Officials described those four dogs as healthy and highly adoptable. Toulouse, now known as Blue, was placed with California Bully Rescue, while Obi-Wan Kenobi, now known as Randy, was taken in by Eddie’s Heart Rescue. Mulan and Diglett remained with Stockton Animal Services as of last week.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office recovered 117 intact canine remains from two sites during a June 25 search of Miranda’s Rescue. Investigators also found 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones and six loose microchips at another location on the property.
Forensic veterinarians and investigators examined 70 of the dogs at the site and preliminarily determined that many had died after being shot. Authorities also reported finding more than 600 dog collars inside a barn where investigators believe dogs were killed.
The Humboldt County sheriff’s investigation began April 22 after authorities said they received credible information involving allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy. Investigators first searched the property May 1 and seized evidence. No criminal charges have been announced.
Wednesday’s release did not say whether additional dogs transferred from Stockton have been identified among the remains. It also did not provide a complete accounting of the 108 dogs sent to Miranda’s Rescue or say whether Stockton Animal Services has changed its procedures for selecting and reviewing rescue partners.
Stockton police said the department and Animal Services would continue supporting the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation moves forward.
“We remain committed to providing any information or assistance that may help investigators as they continue their work,” the department said.