Woman facing charges after allegedly neglecting over 300 animals, leaving them in unsanitary conditions
Officials said this was the largest companion animal search warrant and rescue operation ever conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.
LAKE HUGHES, Calif. —
A California woman is facing more than a dozen charges after officials said more than 300 animals were found living in inhumane and unsanitary conditions.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said 57-year-old Christine De Anda, of Lake Hughes, was charged Friday with 35 felonies and misdemeanors after allegedly keeping more than 300 animals in unsafe conditions.
CNN Video: Los Angeles County District Attorney speaks on animal cruelty case
De Anda, who operated animal rescue “Rock ‘N’ Pawz” in Lake Hughes, California, is also accused of violating multiple county codes. They include “operating an animal kennel without required land-use approval, maintaining unsanitary conditions, and having structures with unpermitted construction, plumbing, electrical and grading work.”
According to the DA’s office, the animals were discovered on March 20, 2026, when Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control executed a search warrant at the property after it was signed by a judge.
Animal care and control officials said the woman had been issued warnings and citations “over several years” concerning the properties condition and the number of animals she was keeping.
De Anda, officials said, continued to increase the number of animals— mainly dogs, but also cats, a pig, rabbit, goose and two goats — despite being unable to care for them.
In March, more than 300 animals were found on the Lake Hughes property, with several believed to have severe injuries.
“Many of the animals had low Purina Body Condition Scores, indicating low or emaciated body weight,” a release from the Los Angeles DA’s Office said. “One cat found deceased on the property had suffered starvation and dehydration, according to the investigation.”
“This was the largest companion animal search warrant and rescue operation ever conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC),” DACC Director Marcia Mayeda said in the release. “More than 300 animals were removed from severely inhumane conditions. 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. Our teams have worked tirelessly to stabilize them, provide the medical care they needed, and help them recover.”
Mayeda said despite all efforts, they were unable to save every animal due to the extent of their injuries and illnesses.
De Anda has been charged with 12 felony counts of cruelty to animals, two felony counts of grand theft of labor, and 21 misdemeanor counts. The remaining misdemeanor charges include two counts of failure to care for an animal, failure to provide them with food or water, and one count of operating a kennel without a license.
If convicted, she could face more than 24 years in state prison.