A Lake Hughes woman who ran an animal rescue operation is facing nearly 25 years in prison after Los Angeles County authorities charged her with 35 crimes tied to the seizure of more than 300 dogs and cats from her property.
Christine De Anda, 57, who operated Rock ‘N’ Pawz, was charged Friday with 12 felony counts of animal cruelty and two felony counts of grand theft of labor, along with 21 misdemeanor counts covering animal cruelty, code violations, failure to care for animals, failure to provide food and water, unsanitary conditions and operating a kennel without a license.
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control first announced in March that roughly 200 to 300 caged dogs and cats had been removed from unsanitary conditions at the property. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the formal charges nearly six months later.
Conditions described as severe
Prosecutors said more than 300 animals were found ill, injured and emaciated, with some suffering from starvation, dehydration and untreated injuries. Animal Care and Control Director Marcia Mayeda said animals were kept in cages saturated with urine and feces, leaving some with open sores and infections. Ammonia levels inside the housing areas were reportedly so severe that rescue workers had to wear respirators to enter.
“What we found was deeply disturbing,” Mayeda said. “More than 300 animals were found in severely inhumane conditions.”
“They were ill, injured, emaciated, and in need of immediate medical attention and intensive care,” she added.
Mayeda said one dog was so badly matted and in pain that workers had to sedate it before cutting its hair. Another animal was severely underweight when it was pulled from the property; by Friday, officials said the dog had nearly doubled its weight.
Not all of the animals survived. Prosecutors said one cat found dead on the property had suffered from starvation and dehydration, and Mayeda said other animals could not be saved because their illnesses and injuries were too advanced.
Years of warnings, refused inspections
Hochman said neighbors had complained for years about barking dogs, foul odors and accumulating trash at the property. Animal Care and Control and other regulators had attempted to visit, but authorities said De Anda repeatedly refused to let inspectors inside.
“Ms. De Anda for years had refused entry,” Hochman said.
Investigators eventually secured a search warrant after witnesses came forward with firsthand accounts of the conditions inside, according to the DA’s office. Along with the dogs and cats, authorities said they found a pig, a rabbit, a goose and two goats on the property.
Prosecutors allege that despite years of citations and warnings about the number of animals and conditions at the property, De Anda continued taking in animals she could not properly care for.
“For someone who calls herself an animal rescuer, there’s a fundamental responsibility to protect and care for the animals entrusted to her,” Hochman said.
De Anda’s arraignment has not yet been scheduled. Prosecutors have requested her bail be set at $914,500.
