“Deplorable Conditions”: LA Animal Rescue Operator Charged in Massive Animal Seizure
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is pressing charges against Christine De Anda after hundreds of animals were seized from her property.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), De Anda allegedly ran Rock N’ Pawz Animal Rescue. But earlier this year, the department received tips that her animals lived in “deplorable conditions.”
In response, the DACC issued a series of citations and warnings to De Anda, demanding she improve her animals’ living conditions. She allegedly ignored these warnings, neglecting to improve the environment yet continuing to take animals in.
The DACC obtained a warrant to search her house. When officers did on March 20, they came across a horrific scene.
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What Officers Found
Many animals were in cramped crates sitting in their feces, while countless others were malnourished, sick, or injured. None of them appeared to be receiving required medical attention. Additionally, a dead cat was found in the house.
In total, the DACC seized a whopping 300+ animals that day—the most animals the department has ever seized during a rescue.
The animals were taken to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation, which will care for and bring the animals back to health. Currently, none of them are up for adoption yet.
De Anda’s Charges
For De Anda’s crime, the animal rescue operator faces 35 felonies and misdemeanors in total. These include 12 felony counts and three misdemeanors of animal cruelty, alongside two felony charges of grand theft of labor and twelve code enforcement violation misdemeanors.
She further is charged for violating parts of the Los Angeles County Code Section 10.40.010—specifically, neglecting to provide food, water, and care for animals, and subjecting them to an unsanitary and injurious environment.
“The conditions these animals allegedly endured are horrifying and unacceptable,” Kathryn Barger, supervisor of LA County’s Fifth District, said in DACC’s press release. “Animal cruelty has no place in our communities. 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.”
Animal Abuse Statistics
Animal abuse is a widespread problem in California and nationwide.
According to ASPCA’s Shelter Animals Count, about 10 million animals die from abuse or cruelty annually nationwide. Every minute, at least one animal is being abused in America. Approximately 250,000 animals are also found in dirty, hoarding living environments.
The DACC works to combat this epidemic in Los Angeles and 43 surrounding cities.
24/7, the DACC responds to calls from residents to save or retrieve animals. When they’re not responding to calls, officers patrol beaches, trails, and other outdoor areas to look for abandoned or otherwise in-need animals.
Additionally, as De Anda’s case presented, the department conducts investigations of reports of animal abuse, and checks shelters and facilities to guarantee they meet licensing requirements. They also rescue animals during emergency situations like hurricanes, storms, and other natural disasters.
Adoption, rehoming, and volunteer information is available on its website.
