California animal rescue operator charged with felonies for alleged 'inhumane and unsanitary conditions'
A California animal rescue operator is facing up to 24 1/2 years in state prison after being charged with 35 felonies and misdemeanors for alleged cruelty to animals, as she is accused of leaving roughly 300 animals living in severe squalor.Christine De Anda, 57, operator of the "Rock ‘N’ Pawz" rescue, faces 12 felony counts of animal cruelty, two felony counts of grand theft of labor, and 21 misdemeanor charges ranging from failure to provide care to operating an unlicensed kennel, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.Prosecutors requested that her bail be set at $914,500 ahead of her arraignment at the Antelope Valley Courthouse.FLORIDA MAIL CARRIER ACCUSED OF SNATCHING PETS ON ROUTE, TRAPPING 100-PLUS CATS AND DOGS IN ‘HOARDING’ HOUSEMore than 300 animals at the Lake Hughes, California, Rock ‘N’ Pawz animal rescue are alleged to have been forced to live in inhumane and unsanitary conditions, including animals suffering from dehydration, severe injuries and starvation.(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 charges stem from a March 20, 2026, search warrant executed by Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control (DACC).Investigators removed more than 300 animals — primarily dogs, but also cats,...