A California animal rescue operator could face up to 24 1/2 years in state prison after being charged with 35 felony and misdemeanor counts over allegations that she left about 300 animals living in severe squalor.
Christine De Anda, 57, who operated the “Rock ‘N’ Pawz” rescue, is charged with 12 felony counts of animal cruelty, two felony counts of grand theft of labor and 21 misdemeanors. The charges include failing to provide proper care and operating an unlicensed kennel, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors have asked that De Anda’s bail be set at $914,500 before her arraignment at the Antelope Valley Courthouse.
More than 300 animals at the Rock ‘N’ Pawz rescue in Lake Hughes, California, allegedly lived in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. Authorities said some were dehydrated, severely injured or starving. (Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office)
“For someone who calls herself an animal rescuer, there’s a fundamental responsibility to protect and care for the animals entrusted to her,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “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.”
“After repeated citations and warnings, Ms. De Anda continued taking in animals she could not care for, leaving hundreds to endure prolonged suffering,” Hochman added. “These animal victims cannot speak for themselves and look to us to protect them. My office will hold their victimizer fully accountable for her inhumane actions.”
The case follows a March 20, 2026, search warrant carried out by Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, or DACC. Investigators removed more than 300 animals, mostly dogs, along with cats, a pig, a rabbit, a goose and two goats. DACC Director Marcia Mayeda described it as the department’s “largest companion animal search warrant and rescue operation ever conducted.”
De Anda is also accused of violating several county codes at the Lake Hughes facility, including operating an animal kennel without the required land-use approval, maintaining unsanitary conditions and using structures with unpermitted construction, plumbing, electrical and grading work. (Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office)
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“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. Our teams have worked tirelessly to stabilize them, provide the medical care they needed, and help them recover.”
Authorities said at least one cat was found dead from starvation and dehydration when the investigation began.
A 57-year-old Lake Hughes, California, woman who operated the Rock ‘N’ Pawz animal rescue was charged with 35 felony and misdemeanor counts after allegedly keeping more than 300 animals in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. Some of the animals were reportedly dehydrated, severely injured or starving. (Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office)
“Sadly, despite all efforts, we were unable to save every animal due to the extent of their illnesses and injuries,” Mayeda said. “DACC is deeply grateful for the support of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, Pasadena Humane and Kern County Animal Services for assisting us with this rescue and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for its commitment to pursuing justice for these animals.”
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also released a YouTube video showing the rescued animals at a shelter and documenting the conditions that led to the charges.
“These animal victims cannot speak for themselves and look to us to protect them,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “My office will hold their victimizer fully accountable for her inhumane actions.” (Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office)
Prosecutors allege that De Anda continued accepting more animals despite years of citations and warnings about her inability to provide adequate care. She is also accused of violating county regulations by operating a kennel without the necessary land-use approval, allowing unsanitary conditions and maintaining structures with unpermitted construction, plumbing, electrical and grading work.