What started as a quiet Friday morning in Lake Hughes exploded into one of the biggest animal seizures Los Angeles County has ever seen, after animal control officers descended on a private property holding an estimated 700 dogs and cats.
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) carried out a search warrant at the site, where the animals were reportedly being cared for by Rock N Paws Animal Rescue and its operator, Christine De Anda. All of the animals are now in DACC custody.
According to KABC, the warrant was served at about 7 a.m. More than 70 animal-care and control staff and rescue partners rushed in to handle triage and transport on a scale the agency rarely sees.
DACC said veterinary and medical teams are currently triaging the animals on site. Those needing emergency treatment are being transported to veterinary hospitals, while the rest are headed to DACC animal care centers for further medical and behavioral evaluations.
Scale and Precedent
If the animal count holds, DACC says this is the largest number of dogs and cats it has ever seized and could rank among the biggest rescues of its kind in the country. That is not a title any agency is eager to claim.
For comparison, the county executed another major seizure in October 2022 at a Littlerock rescue facility, where officers confiscated 195 cats and 43 dogs, according to a Los Angeles County news release. Friday’s operation in Lake Hughes dwarfs even that high-profile case.
Investigations and Next Steps
KABC reports that the search warrant was issued for alleged violations of state and county animal-welfare laws. DACC said the animals were in the custody of Christine De Anda of Rock N Paws Animal Rescue at the time of the raid.
Investigators will continue documenting the conditions on the property as DACC completes its assessment. From there, officials will decide whether the evidence supports criminal referrals or other enforcement actions. For now, the priority is basic: stabilize hundreds of animals that all need attention at once.
How the County Handles Large Seizures and How to Help
In prior large-scale cases, the department has distributed animals among its seven county animal care centers while coordinating with the sheriff's department and the District Attorney’s Office, as detailed in the 2022 county release. A similar playbook is likely in motion here, with an even heavier lift.
Residents who suspect animals are being neglected are urged to contact DACC at (310) 523-9566. The department is expected to post updates on foster, rescue, and adoption needs once the Lake Hughes animals complete their initial medical and behavioral evaluations. Anyone looking to help will want to keep a close eye on those calls for support.
