Hundreds of Dogs and Cats Rescued in Massive Los Angeles County Animal Seizure

Christine De Anda had one message for the officers who removed 316 animals from her Lake Hughes property on March 20: "I can't wait to go to court."

The seizure at the 46000 block of 266th Street West, roughly 65 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, is the largest dog and cat seizure the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control has ever conducted and may be the largest such case in the entire United States, according to DACC. More than 70 animal care and control staff arrived at the property around 7 a.m. that Friday, serving a warrant for violations of animal welfare laws alongside investigators from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. County departments of Public Works, Public Health, and Regional Planning also responded due to additional possible violations on the property. Mutual aid partners including spcaLA, Pasadena Humane, and Kern County Animal Services joined the operation on the ground.

The animals, 250 dogs and 66 cats totaling 316 animals, were spread across multiple structures. "This is the largest number of dogs and cats that DACC has ever seized and may be the largest case ever in the United States," the agency stated. DACC Director Marcia Mayeda, who has led the department since 2001, described what officers found when they arrived: "They're inside the home, they're inside a metal building on the property and also outside in the yard." Early field estimates had put the count as high as 700 animals; DACC's revised official figure settled at 316. "We were originally told 400 dogs and 300 cats, and we are happy to see there are not quite as many we're looking at," Mayeda said. "Closer to 300 animals total."

The seizure was sparked by an investigation into suspected animal cruelty, including neglect and overcrowding, according to a District Attorney's Office spokesperson. Neighbors had complained for years about the stench and constant barking coming from the property. Some staff members arrived in hazardous materials suits and respirators, a visible signal of the conditions inside. The property is registered to Christine De Anda, who operates a nonprofit called Rock N Pawz. County animal care officials said De Anda took in more animals than she could properly care for. She was detained briefly by District Attorney investigators while the warrant was served and released soon afterward, though she was not permitted to access the property until the operation concluded, which officials said was standard procedure.

De Anda disputes that characterization. On Instagram, Rock N Pawz claimed the rescue is receiving serious threats and that some dogs were injured during the raid, a claim authorities denied. De Anda told reporters she had been documenting the removal of each animal as evidence for a future court appearance. "There's nothing that I can do," she said. "I'm a very stoic person. I'm very sad about the whole situation, and I can't wait to go to court." As of the date of the operation, no criminal charges had been filed and no arrests were made.

The scale of the removal put immediate pressure on county shelter infrastructure. Five of DACC's seven animal care centers took in animals from the operation. To help alleviate overcrowding, county animal care centers that are normally closed on Sundays opened from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 22 to expand placement efforts. DACC also worked with adoption partner rescue groups to transfer currently adoptable animals, and a charity chartered a plane to fly approximately 27 dogs and several cats to agencies in the Pacific Northwest. Animals requiring emergency care were transported directly to veterinary hospitals; the rest went to county centers for full medical evaluation, vaccinations, and treatment. DACC confirmed no animals will be euthanized as a result of the operation.

Mayeda called on the public to adopt or donate to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation to support the medical, nutritional, and behavioral rehabilitation of the seized animals. Due to the scale of the operation, officials warned that some services at animal care centers across the county may experience delays as staff are reassigned to assist with the rescue. The investigation remains ongoing, and no charges had been filed as of last week.