A Lake Hughes woman who operated an animal rescue was charged Friday with 35 felony and misdemeanor counts stemming from allegations that she kept more than 300 animals in filthy and inhumane conditions, leaving some suffering from starvation, dehydration and severe injuries.
Christine De Anda, 57, who operated Rock ‘N’ Pawz, is charged with 12 felony counts of cruelty to an animal, two felony counts of grand theft of labor and 21 misdemeanor counts, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The misdemeanor charges include three counts of animal cruelty, 12 code enforcement violations, two counts of failure to care for an animal and one count each of failure to provide food and water, injurious conditions, unsanitary conditions in enclosures and operating a kennel without a license.
The case was filed for a warrant, and De Anda’s arraignment will be scheduled for a later date at the Antelope Valley Courthouse. Prosecutors are seeking bail of $914,500.
If convicted as charged, De Anda faces up to 24 1/2 years in state prison.
Prosecutors allege De Anda continued taking in an increasing number of animals over several years despite being unable to properly care for them and despite citations and warnings from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.
Most of the animals were dogs, but they also included cats, a pig, a rabbit, a goose and two goats, according to prosecutors.
The animals were discovered March 20 when Animal Care and Control personnel and other county agencies executed a search warrant at the Lake Hughes property.
More than 300 animals were found in allegedly filthy and unsanitary conditions, including some with severe injuries consistent with longstanding neglect, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Many were underweight or emaciated, and investigators said one cat found dead on the property had suffered from starvation and dehydration.
“For someone who calls herself an animal rescuer, there’s a fundamental responsibility to protect and care for the animals entrusted to her,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement.
“Instead, purported rescuer Christine De Anda allegedly left these animals to suffer or die from starvation, dehydration, untreated injuries and painful urine and fecal burns in filthy conditions,” Hochman said. “After repeated citations and warnings, Ms. De Anda continued taking in animals she could not care for, leaving hundreds to endure prolonged suffering.”
Animal Care and Control Director Marcia Mayeda called the operation the largest companion-animal search warrant and rescue operation ever conducted by her department.
“More than 300 animals were removed from severely inhumane conditions,” Mayeda said. “Animals were 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.”
Mayeda said county workers stabilized the animals and provided medical care, but some could not be saved because of the extent of their illnesses and injuries.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger called the conditions the animals allegedly endured “horrifying and unacceptable” and praised county Animal Care and Control personnel and other agencies involved in the rescue and investigation.
“Animal cruelty has no place in our communities,” Barger said in a statement. “Anyone entrusted with the care of animals has a responsibility to protect their health and well-being. When that trust is violated, there must be accountability.”
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, Pasadena Humane and Kern County Animal Services assisted with the rescue.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Jessica Palasik of the Antelope Valley Branch Office and Nichol Walgren of the Environmental Crimes Division/Code Enforcement Section.