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ANIMAL WATCH - L.A. County Animal Control Director Marcia Mayeda advised last week after a raid at the Lake Hughes location of Rock-N-Pawz Animal Rescue,, “While this remains an active investigation, we are able to share that approximately 250 dogs and 66 cats are now in our care following today’s operation.”
“Because of the sensitive nature of this case, we are limited in what we can show,” she added, ”but behind these few images is a massive, coordinated effort to bring these animals to safety.”
On Instagram, Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue is claiming it is receiving serious threats and that some dogs were injured by the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) on Friday during the raid.
Mayeda expressed gratitude to L.A. County District Attorney investigators, Pasadena Humane, spcaLA, and Kern County Animal Services, adding, “Your expertise and collaboration were critical in this response.”
She added, “Because this is an on-going investigation, there is important and compelling information that cannot be disclosed until after the Court decision.”
She also assured the public that no animals will be euthanized as the result of this investigation.
COUNTY WILL SEEK HOMES FOR DOGS AND CATS
Over 300 animals were taken from the Lake Hughes-area home, including 232 dogs and 65 cats, a rabbit, a goose, a parrot, and two goats, which could soon be eligible for adoption to the public, the County reported. All of the animals will receive a complete examination by a veterinarian and have any needed care provided, according to L.A. County Animal Care and Control Director Marcia Mayeda.
These animals, just received into shelters, need some time to be thoroughly examined to determine they are healthy and ready for adoption (including spay/neuter and other physical care.)
But, this is an opportunity for potential adopters to truly “save” an animal by selecting from those already available, thus creating more space in the seven County shelter locations (listed here) for those taken from this situation and needing time and care to heal emotionally and physically.
Director Mayeda said the Department will be asking for charges of cruelty and neglect, derived from hoarding, and based upon the evidence,
None of the seized animals can be offered for adoption until the case is reviewed and the animals are no longer needed as evidence.
THE RESCUE OPERATION
A search warrant for violation of animal welfare laws was served on 266th Street West , in Lake Hughes, around 7 a.m., the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control reported.
DACC officials said they found about 300 animals on the property, mostly dogs, with 50-75 cats. They were in the custody of Chris D'Anda of Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue. Officials initially estimated the number of animals found to have been 700.
“RESCUER” SAYS RAID AT HER HOME WAS “UNNECESSARY”
D'Anda told Channel 7 (ABC) News that “the raid at her home was unnecessary and she wants the animals returned to her care. My animals were not a threat to anybody," she said. "They were healthy. They were cared for." She also stated she was building kennels for them in order to expand into a full rescue operation. Neighbors stated that the stench from her property and the conditions for the animals was terrible.
CHECK THE SHELTER FOR YOUR LOST PET FROM ANY AREA
If you have had a pet go missing in any area of the County, be sure to visit this and other shelters on-line and in person to see if it is there.
If you find your pet among those pictured, advise the Department immediately, but because of legal requirements, be prepared to provide proper paperwork to prove ownership. Lost dogs can be transported long distances by someone who finds and “rescues” them, or they can be given to someone in another region.
Thus, if you recently lost a pet, this is possibly an opportunity to reclaim it or a chance to provide a home for an animal that deeply needs your love and care.
Thanks to KABC Channel 7
However, because a court order is needed before these recently confiscated pets can be adopted. For now, the pets in need of veterinary care are receiving the help they need. So far, no charges have been filed.
Although the Department responded to tips alleging that hundreds of dogs and cats were living in inhumane conditions, D’Anda claims, "My animals were not a threat to anybody," she said. "They were healthy. They were cared for."
"The animals were cleaned every day," D'Anda said. "The animals were rotated out into yards every single day. Every single dog is happy."
HEALTH CONCERNS FOR THE COMMUNITY – AND THE ANIMALS
Some animals received treatment on the property before being taken to hospitals and the County's Animal Care Centers.
The County stated that a charity chartered a plane to fly about 27 dogs and several cats to agencies in the Pacific Northwest.
D'Anda said she had 238 dogs along with several cats, a pig and a goose. She said she has been building kennels to create an animal rescue.
However, neighbors complained about the constant stench from kennels they claimed were not kept clean and overcrowded with dogs and cats.
D’Anda responded, "There's nothing that I can do. I'm a very stoic person. I'm very sad about the whole situation, and I can't wait to go to court.”
More than 70 animal care and control staff were on scene for the rescue operation. Officials say it is the largest number of dogs and cats the DACC has ever seized, and it may be the largest case ever in the country.
The massive operation is expected to put a strain on resources and housing capacity at county shelters.
The County says that no animals will be euthanized as a result of the operation.
HERE ARE WAYS TO HELP
"We have seven animal care centers in the County,” Mayeda said, “Five are taking in animals from this situation, and there they will be examined more thoroughly by veterinarians and medical staff, given treatments necessary-- vaccinations, and any sort of attention that they may need," Mayeda said.
For those who wish to help in this effort, Director Mayeda says support can be provided directly -- either through adoption or donations to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation.
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee and a long-time animal welfare advocate. A contributor to CityWatchLA, she is known for her investigative reporting on animal shelter operations, misuse of public funds, and the dangers of poorly regulated pet adoption policies. She is a strong proponent of public safety in animal control, advocating for stricter oversight of aggressive dog breeds, especially pit bulls, and for breed-specific legislation.)
