Over 300 animals were allegedly kept in inhumane and unsanitary conditions, including animals suffering from severe injuries and starvation 

September 19, 2026 – LANCASTER, CA – A 57-year-old Lake Hughes woman who operated animal rescue Rock ‘N’ Pawz was charged on Friday with 35 felonies and misdemeanors after allegedly keeping more than 300 animals in inhumane and unsanitary conditions, including animals suffering from dehydration, severe injuries and starvation. She is also accused of violating multiple county codes, including operating an animal kennel without required land-use approval, maintaining unsanitary conditions and having structures with unpermitted construction, plumbing, electrical and grading work.

“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. 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.”

Christine De Anda (57) is charged with 12 felony counts of cruelty to an animal, two felony counts of grand theft of labor and 21 misdemeanor counts, including three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to an animal in case 26AVCF01162.

The remaining misdemeanor charges include:

• Twelve counts of code enforcement violations
• Two counts of failure to care for an animal
• One count of failure to provide food and water
• One count of injurious conditions
• One count of unsanitary conditions in enclosures
• One count of operating the kennel without a license

The case was filed for warrant. De Anda’s arraignment will be set for a later date at the Antelope Valley Courthouse. Prosecutors have requested her bail be set at $914,500.

Over several years, De Anda allegedly continued to take in an increasing number of animals — mainly dogs, but also cats, a pig, rabbit, goose and two goats — despite being unable to care for them.

Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control had issued De Anda citations and warnings over several years concerning conditions at the property and the number of animals she was keeping. Despite those warnings, De Anda allegedly continued operating her rescue and taking in additional animals.

The animals were discovered on March 20, 2026, when Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control executed a search warrant at the property after it was signed by a judge. Numerous County agencies participated in the search. More than 300 animals were found on the Lake Hughes property amid filthy and unsanitary conditions, including animals with alleged severe injuries consistent with longstanding neglect. Many of the animals had low Purina Body Condition Scores, indicating low or emaciated body weight. One cat found deceased on the property had suffered starvation and dehydration, according to the investigation.

“This was the largest companion animal search warrant and rescue operation ever conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC),” DACC Director Marcia Mayeda said. “More than 300 animals were removed from severely inhumane conditions. 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.

“Sadly, despite all efforts, we were unable to save every animal due to the extent of their illnesses and injuries. 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.”

If convicted as charged, De Anda faces up to 24.5 years in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jessica Palasik of the Antelope Valley Branch Office, a designated animal cruelty prosecutor, and Deputy District Attorney Nichol Walgren of the Environmental Crimes Division/Code Enforcement Section. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation.

Recently Prosecuted Animal Cruelty Cases that Resulted in Convictions:

• Bryan Zaldana (41) of Pacoima was convicted of one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 24SFCF00277. On February 25, 2024, Zaldana killed his brother’s dog, Negra, a pug mix, with a machete then smashed the pug’s head with a shovel in Sun Valley. Zaldana was sentenced to 16 months in state prison.
• Martin Campos Hernandez (39) of Compton was convicted of one felony count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and assaulting a police animal causing a serious injury in case 24CMCF00751. On April 17, 2024, Hernandez entered an industrial business brandishing a gun. When police arrived, the defendant shot a K-9 police dog in the chest. The dog’s vest absorbed most of the bullet, resulting in blunt force trauma to the chest and requiring sutures to a shoulder. Campos Hernandez was sentenced to nine years in state prison.
• Justus Trivino (27) of Los Angeles was convicted of one felony count each of assault with a deadly weapon and cruelty to an animal in case 25CJCF00519. On January 27, 2025, Trivino threatened then tried to stab his mother with a knife at her Commerce home before violently throwing her small dog against a wall, killing the chihuahua named Neno. Trivino was sentenced to four years, eight months in state prison.
• Jerry Lee Sims (51) of Long Beach was convicted of one felony count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and cruelty to an animal in case 25CMCF00246. On February 13, 2025, Sims pointed a gun at passing cars and people outside a liquor store in Compton before shooting a dog named King, a German Sheppard mix, in the face. Prior to this case, he had two strikes as an adult and two as a juvenile. Sims was sentenced to 18 years, eight months in state prison.
• Jawaun Minor (36) of Los Angeles was convicted of one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 25CJCF05514. On August 20, 2025, Minor beat his girlfriend’s dog, Cookie, in the head in South Los Angeles then took the small Maltipoo to the veterinarian where the dog was euthanized due to significant injuries. Minor was sentenced to three years in state prison.

Example of Animal Cruelty Cases Currently Being Prosecuted:

• Anmol Bhatia (28) of Los Angeles is charged in case 25ARCF01933 with one felony count each of first-degree residential burglary, animal cruelty and vandalism $400 or more in damage or destruction of property. On September 4, 2025, the defendant allegedly broke into his friend’s apartment in West Hollywood and killed his dog. The defendant is allegedly captured on video violently slamming the victim’s dog, a senior chihuahua named Dallas, to the ground and stomping on it, then throwing the nonresponsive chihuahua off the balcony. If convicted as charged, Bhatia faces a maximum sentence of eight years and four months in state prison. His arraignment on the information is set for September 30 in Department 83 of the Airport Courthouse.
• Gian Luca Romero (19) of Van Nuys is charged with one felony count of cruelty to an animal in case 26VWCF00604. On March 17, 2026, Romero is accused of killing his girlfriend’s four-month-old puppy, Lana, for defecating and peeing in her apartment then placing the deceased puppy in her cage. A veterinarian determined that the puppy, a Maltese mix, sustained traumatic injuries and death was by asphyxiation. If convicted as charged, Romero faces up to three years in county jail. Romero’s arraignment on the information is set for September 18 in Department S of the Van Nuys Courthouse.
• Jaquan Slaughter (35) of Los Angeles is charged in case 26CJCF02960 with eight felony counts of animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of abandonment of an animal. Between March and May 2026, Slaughter is alleged to have repeatedly abused two French bulldogs, Champ and Hope, and a chihuahua, Hollister. The alleged abuse includes throwing the dog onto concrete, carrying them in a manner that restricted their airways, and subjecting them to suffering. In one instance of alleged abuse, captured on video, Slaughter swings a dog against an elevator wall and then forcefully drags the dog after it appeared unable to walk. If convicted as charged, Slaughter faces eight years, two months in state prison. His pretrial conference is set for October 21 in Department 113 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

View video of dogs and cats as they were found at the Lake Hughes property.

The charges in the open cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office