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Horror Conditions at Rescue: Owner Faces 30+ Charges
19 Sep
Summary
- Hundreds of animals seized from a Lake Hughes rescue operation.
- Operator faces felony animal cruelty and theft charges.
- Conditions described as the opposite of rescue, with severe neglect.
Christine De Anda, head of the nonprofit Rock 'N Pawz, has been charged with 12 felony counts of animal cruelty, two felony counts of grand theft labor, and 21 misdemeanor counts. These charges stem from the conditions found at her Lake Hughes animal rescue earlier this year, following neighbor complaints.
Authorities seized approximately 300 animals – including 233 dogs, 66 cats, and various other creatures – during a March raid. This seizure marked the largest number of cats and dogs ever recovered by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. DA Nathan Hochman described the situation as the "opposite of a rescue operation," with animals allegedly deprived of water and confined in unsanitary, stacked cages.
Conditions documented included severe matting, untreated wounds, and ammonia levels so high that rescue teams needed respirators. De Anda is also charged with operating without land-use approval and maintaining unsanitary conditions. She faces up to 24 years in prison and is expected in court next week, with prosecutors seeking over $900,000 bail.
