Shannon Miranda provides me an exclusive statement and answers questions I asked him from Day 1

"For more than 30 years, I have dedicated my life to rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for animals. Recent allegations regarding my rescue and sanctuary are serious, and I understand the concern they have generated within the community.

Until now, I have limited my public comments out of respect for the ongoing legal and investigative processes. However, because significant misinformation has circulated online, I believe it is important to clarify several facts.

Our rescue has always operated as a no-kill facility. We do not euthanize animals to create space.

The only circumstances in which euthanasia is considered are when an animal is suffering from a terminal condition or when, despite extensive efforts at rehabilitation, the animal presents a serious and ongoing danger to people or other animals.

Over the years, we have accepted animals that other shelters were unable to place due to severe behavioral challenges. Many of these animals were facing euthanasia before arriving at our facility. Whenever possible, we work to rehabilitate and place them in appropriate homes. In some cases, despite every effort, rehabilitation is not successful and difficult decisions must be made to protect staff, volunteers, visitors, and other animals in our care.

What concerns me most is not the impact these allegations have had on me personally, but the impact they may have on the animals. In recent weeks, I have been informed that some shelters are reconsidering placements and transfers because of the controversy surrounding these allegations. Several of these animals were originally transferred to our rescue after being identified as difficult-to-place cases and were facing euthanasia before being given another opportunity for rehabilitation. If opportunities for placement and rehabilitation are reduced, the animals ultimately bear the greatest risk. I hope all organizations involved will continue to evaluate these animals based on their individual circumstances and best interests, rather than public pressure or online speculation.

I welcome a fair review of the facts and remain committed to cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities. My focus remains what it has always been: providing care for animals,working with shelters and rescue partners, and giving as many animals as possible a second chance."

Today, I got this exclusive statement from Shannon Miranda. 

In his statement above, Shannon addressed the questions I asked him earlier this week.

I was the first one to call Shannon Miranda the very first time HCSO was there. I was the only one to get a comment from him.

In my April 28 post, this is what Shannon told me,"I have not done anything wrong. At this time, I have no comment."

I have done my own follow up consistently and I will be doing a second post shortly today. That post builds on concerns and questions I have raised in my previous coverage.

If you have not read all my coverage on the Miranda's Rescue investigation, I will provide links, probably in my second post but you can also access them via the search feature on the blog or Google.

The coverage of this Miranda's Rescue investigation has been one sided in other local and regional media. That is my opinion based on what I have read and my own experience with some of the key players whose one sided coverage has been presented by these media outlets when HCSO investigation has not been completed and no charges have been filed.

HCSO tried to calm the speculation and reason. Still there has been fueling and constant drama online and in person. I have had my own experience and interactions with many people involved and unlike other media; I do understand what Shannon is going through.

Any attempt by Shannon to present his side has been used against him. Read all the coverage and read the facts.

Shannon and I spoke earlier this week. I asked him again, if he wished to make any comment. I wanted to give him a safe space to present his side. I also had questions for him.

Unlike other media, I understand the risk of Shannon saying anything while an investigation is ongoing and there has been no decision made about potential charges.

Shannon said he appreciated my coverage and since I was the first one to reach out to him, he wanted to think about it and discuss with counsel and that if he made a statement, he would give it to me first since I was the one to reach out to him before anyone else did.  

Others also told me they appreciated my fair coverage and they trust me and if Shannon was going to make a statement, they felt he would be able to  here and that his words would be represented completely and fairly.

There are many people who support Shannon, several who want to wait and not judge or jump to conclusions. 

These rational and fair citizens are not the people who ignored HCSO Lt. Jesse Taylor's plea to the community. They are the ones constantly instigating drama, attacking anyone trying to cover this fairly, attacking and disparaging those who will not kow tow to them. Shannon is not the one out there 24/7  hounding HCSO and media.

I want every single one of you to put yourselves in Shannon's shoes. Imagine having to stay silent when your name is dragged through the mud and you cannot defend yourself because it makes it worse and you are restricted due to legal and investigative reasons. In today's viral, digital format, there is no way to combat hate and misinformation. Shannon's livelihood, his  family, his employees being affected and harassed by self absorbed zealots. You can't because most of you have never been through what Shannon is experiencing. 

Those trying to sway public opinion about Shannon Miranda by constant drama can pound the table all they want. We live in a country where there is a court of law and one is presumed innocent until proven guilty.