After ‘mass grave’ allegations, Berkeley animal shelter terminates partnership with dog rescue | City

Berkeley Animal Care Services has terminated its relationship with Miranda’s Rescue following allegations that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office described as “felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy.”

The allegations include a “mass grave” of dogs found at the rescue in Fortuna, California, including dogs with “what looked like gunshot wounds to the head,” as reported by KQED. One dog from Berkeley Animal Care Services, named Charmaine, was found dead at Miranda’s Rescue.

On April 30, BACS became aware of allegations involving Miranda’s Rescue and immediately ended their partnership following upon learning of these allegations, according to BACS manager Mike St. Pierre.

“Like many people throughout the animal welfare community, we are heartbroken, angry, and deeply saddened by what has come to light,” St. Pierre said in an email. “Our staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, and community members cared deeply about these dogs and believed they were being given an opportunity for a better future.”

Miranda’s Rescue, whose website describes itself as a “no-kill rescue, adoption & sanctuary facility,” has been a longtime partner of BACS. Beginning in 2011, BACS has transferred dogs to the rescue, seeking alleviation of shelter capacity, rural environments for dogs who may benefit and successful adoption. According to St. Pierre, BACS has transferred 64 dogs to Miranda’s Rescue since 2022.

The rescue, which, according to KQED, charges on average $500 per transfer, had been allegedly killing dogs which they reported to have been adopted in order to make space for new transfers. Charmaine was one of these dogs, according to St. Pierre. BACS has been unable to verify the outcomes of the other dogs that were reported to have been adopted.

The news is “sad to hear, but also we couldn’t have known,” said a volunteer at BACS who asked to remain anonymous. “I think Mike, the director, obviously needs to be just more diligent about background checks or whatever is necessary.”

St. Pierre said prior to April 30, BACS had “not received verified information indicating that dogs transferred to the organization were being euthanized rather than adopted.” He acknowledged that their rescue partner review process must be more thorough going forward.

“Concerns had been raised online in the past, and I reviewed them,” St. Pierre said in an email to BACS staff that was acquired by The Daily Californian. “While the conditions were not ideal, I did not observe anything at the time that would have prevented us from working with them.”

St. Pierre said he and other BACS staff previously toured the property and “did not observe conditions that raised concerns.”

Three living Berkeley dogs remained at Miranda’s Rescue in early May. On May 27, BACS retrieved them.

“We have not identified another transfer partner willing and able to accept similar large dogs. However, difficulty finding placement does not automatically result in euthanasia,” St. Pierre said.