Rio Dell City Council minutes from May 5 show the city immediately changed its animal-sheltering operations after Chief Josh Phinney said the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was actively investigating Miranda’s Rescue.
According to the meeting minutes, city staff said Rio Dell stopped sending animals to Miranda’s Rescue and also stopped accepting owner surrenders. The minutes do not spell out the allegations, beyond the chief’s reference to an active sheriff’s investigation.
The council minutes indicate the change was raised as an urgency item and handled at the meeting, making it the clearest documented council-level response so far. The record does not say how long the suspension will last or what long-term sheltering arrangements the city will use instead.
The same meeting also included other council business, including adoption of an accessory dwelling unit ordinance and a consensus direction to return a revised Chamber of Commerce billboard concept for later consideration.
The minutes do not indicate a formal council vote on the Miranda’s Rescue response.
