Lake Hughes animal rescue operator faces 35 criminal counts for cruelty and theft

Los Angeles County prosecutors have lodged 35 criminal counts against Christine De Anda, the 57-year-old operator of Rock N Pawz Rescue, accusing her of maintaining rescue animals in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions and of grand theft of labor. The charges include 12 felony animal-cruelty counts, two felony grand-theft-of-labor counts and 21 misdemeanors for neglect and failure to provide proper care. District Attorney Nathan Hochman is requesting a warrant for De Anda’s arrest, with an arraignment to be set later.

The nonprofit, established in 2000, has collected more than $9,000 on a GoFundMe page to fund her defense. Investigators who entered the property in March reported cages packed with animals, fecal contamination, and signs of starvation and untreated injuries, seizing over 300 animals as evidence. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger emphasized the need for accountability when animal-care trust is broken.