A Lake Hughes woman operating an animal rescue faces 35 felony and misdemeanor charges following allegations that she maintained over 300 animals in filthy and inhumane environments, leading to some suffering from starvation, dehydration, and severe injuries. Christine De Anda, 57, who ran Rock ‘N’ Pawz, was charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with 12 felony counts of cruelty to an animal and two felony counts of grand theft of labor.
The charges also include 21 misdemeanor counts, among them three additional counts of animal cruelty, twelve code enforcement violations, two counts of failing to care for an animal, and one count each for not providing food and water, creating injurious conditions, maintaining unsanitary enclosures, and operating a kennel without a proper license.
Prosecutors allege that Ms. De Anda continued to take in more animals over several years, even though she was purportedly unable to care for them properly and despite receiving citations and warnings from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. The animals found at the property were predominantly dogs, alongside cats, a pig, a rabbit, a goose, and two goats, according to prosecutors.
The discovery of the animals came on March 20 when personnel from Animal Care and Control, along with other county agencies, executed a search warrant at Ms. De Anda’s Lake Hughes property. The District Attorney’s Office reported that more than 300 animals were found in allegedly filthy and unsanitary conditions, with some exhibiting severe injuries consistent with prolonged neglect. Many were described as underweight or emaciated, and investigators stated that a cat found deceased on the property had suffered from starvation and dehydration.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman commented on the situation, stating, “For someone who calls herself an animal rescuer, there’s a fundamental responsibility to protect and care for the animals entrusted to her.” Mr. Hochman further elaborated that Ms. De Anda allegedly allowed the animals to “suffer or die from starvation, dehydration, untreated injuries and painful urine and fecal burns in filthy conditions.” He added that despite “repeated citations and warnings,” Ms. De Anda continued to accept animals she could not manage, leaving hundreds to endure extended suffering.
Marcia Mayeda, Director of Animal Care and Control, described the operation as the largest companion-animal search warrant and rescue her department had ever conducted. Ms. Mayeda noted that “More than 300 animals were removed from severely inhumane conditions,” further detailing that the animals were found “living in and saturated with their own excrement, had serious untreated illnesses and injuries, were emaciated, and were forced to live in small crates without adequate room to properly lie comfortably.” County workers provided medical care and stabilized the animals, though some could not be saved due to the severity of their conditions, Ms. Mayeda said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger called the alleged conditions endured by the animals “horrifying and unacceptable.” Supervisor Barger commended the efforts of the Animal Care and Control personnel and other agencies involved in the rescue and investigation, emphasizing that “Animal cruelty has no place in our communities.” She reiterated that those entrusted with animal care have a duty to protect their well-being, and a violation of that trust demands accountability.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, Pasadena Humane, and Kern County Animal Services provided assistance during the rescue operation. The case has been filed for a warrant, and Ms. De Anda’s arraignment is scheduled for a later date at the Antelope Valley Courthouse. Prosecutors are seeking bail set at $914,500. If convicted on all charges, Ms. De Anda faces a potential sentence of up to 24 1/2 years in state prison. Deputy District Attorneys Jessica Palasik and Nichol Walgren are prosecuting the case.