A Los Angeles County woman who ran an animal rescue operation has been charged with 35 felony and misdemeanor counts after investigators removed roughly 300 animals from what officials describe as squalid, inhumane conditions.
Christine De Anda, 57, operated the “Rock ‘N’ Pawz” rescue. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged her with 12 felony counts of animal cruelty, two felony counts of grand theft of labor, and 21 misdemeanors, including failure to provide care and operating an unlicensed kennel. She faces up to 24 1/2 years in state prison if convicted on all counts.
Prosecutors have requested bail be set at $914,500 ahead of her arraignment at the Antelope Valley Courthouse.
The case originated from a search warrant executed on March 20, 2026, by Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control (DACC). Investigators removed more than 300 animals from the property, mostly dogs but also cats, a pig, a rabbit, a goose and two goats. DACC Director Marcia Mayeda called it the “largest companion animal search warrant and rescue operation ever conducted” in the department’s history.
According to DACC, at least one cat was found dead from starvation and dehydration when the investigation began.
“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 added that despite the department’s efforts, not every animal survived. “Sadly, despite all efforts, we were unable to save every animal due to the extent of their illnesses and injuries,” she said, thanking the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, Pasadena Humane, Kern County Animal Services and the District Attorney’s Office for assisting with the rescue.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said the case reflects a betrayal of the basic obligations of running a rescue.
“For someone who calls herself an animal rescuer, there’s a fundamental responsibility to protect and care for the animals entrusted to her,” 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.”
Hochman said De Anda had received repeated citations and warnings before the raid but kept taking in animals she could not properly care for. “After repeated citations and warnings, Ms. De Anda continued taking in animals she could not care for, leaving hundreds to endure prolonged suffering,” he said. “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.”
Prosecutors also allege De Anda violated multiple county codes, including operating an animal kennel without required land-use approval, maintaining unsanitary conditions, and carrying out unpermitted construction, plumbing, electrical and grading work on the property.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has released video footage of the conditions found on the property that led to the charges.
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