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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A Lake Hughes woman has been charged with 35 counts of animal cruelty and code violations after allegedly keeping more than 300 animals in inhumane and unsanitary conditions, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
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Prosecutors allege that Christine De Anda operated an animal rescue called Rock ‘N’ Pawz. Workers with Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control discovered the animals in March after executing a search warrant at the property.
More than 300 animals were found in allegedly filthy and unsanitary conditions, including some with severe injuries consistent with longstanding neglect, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Many were underweight or emaciated, and investigators said one cat found dead on the property had suffered from starvation and dehydration.
“For someone who calls herself an animal rescuer, there’s a fundamental responsibility to protect and care for the animals entrusted to her,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement.
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“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,” Hochman said. “After repeated citations and warnings, Ms. De Anda continued taking in animals she could not care for, leaving hundreds to endure prolonged suffering.”
De Anda faces 12 felony counts of cruelty to an animal, two felony counts of grand theft of labor and 21 misdemeanor counts, according to the DA’s office.
The misdemeanor charges include three counts of animal cruelty, 12 code enforcement violations, two counts of failure to care for an animal and one count each of failure to provide food and water, injurious conditions, unsanitary conditions in enclosures and operating a kennel without a license.
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If convicted as charged, De Anda faces up to 24 1/2 years in state prison.
City News Service contributed to this report.