Four dogs transferred from Stockton Animal Services to a Humboldt County rescue now under investigation for animal cruelty and fraud have been returned to Stockton, city officials said.
The dogs — Mulan, Diglett, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Toulouse — were brought back July 3 after coordination between Stockton Animal Services, Humboldt County Animal Services, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the San Francisco SPCA, according to a Stockton Police Department news release.
The update comes more than a week after Stockton officials said they were tracking animals sent to Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary in Fortuna, where investigators recently recovered the remains of more than 100 dogs. In a June 28 statement, Stockton officials had not said how many animals had been transferred from the city shelter to the rescue.
On Tuesday, officials said Stockton Animal Services had transferred 108 dogs to Miranda’s Rescue through its established rescue partner program between 2020 and 2026.
Humboldt County Animal Services later confirmed that four dogs originally transferred from Stockton remained on the property, according to the release. Stockton officials said they were informed the dogs were being cared for, but their priority became ensuring the animals were safely returned to Stockton.
“While we were informed that the dogs were being cared for, our priority became ensuring they were safely returned to Stockton Animal Services so they could continue their journey toward permanent, loving homes,” the department said.
All four dogs are now safely back in Stockton’s care, officials said. Toulouse, now known as Blue, is with California Bully Rescue and preparing to find a permanent home. Obi-Wan Kenobi, now known as Randy, has been taken in by Eddie’s Heart Rescue. Mulan and Diglett remain in the care of Stockton Animal Services.
Officials described the dogs as healthy and “highly adoptable.”
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office investigation into Miranda’s Rescue remains active. Authorities have said they recovered 117 intact canine remains from two dig sites during a June search of the property, along with 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones and loose microchips. Investigators previously said many of the dogs examined on site appeared to have died after being shot.
The Stockton update did not say whether any of the 108 dogs transferred from Stockton have been identified among the remains recovered by investigators. It also did not say whether Stockton Animal Services has paused, ended or changed its rescue partnership process since the investigation became public.
Stockton police and animal services said they continue to cooperate with Humboldt County officials as the investigation moves forward.
“The welfare of the animals entrusted to our care remains our highest priority,” the department said. “We appreciate the patience, concern, and support shown by our community throughout this process and will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available and can be appropriately shared.”
No criminal charges have been announced in the Humboldt County investigation. In your prior reporting, the sheriff’s office said the case began in April after authorities received credible information involving allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy connected to the rescue.
Anyone with information related to the investigation can contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or email HSO@co.humboldt.ca.us.