A Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control official confirmed Thursday that all animals seized in a massive March raid are still in county care and part of an ongoing case investigation.
Animal care officials addressed the issue in response to questions about any of the animals possibly being adopted out.
“To clarify, all animals seized under the warrant are considered evidence and remain under DACC’s custody,” according to an email Thursday from Christopher Valles, an Animal Control manager and public information officer. “These animals cannot be placed for adoption or transferred to any approved adoption partner until the case reaches its legal resolution. At this time, none of the seized animals have been released for adoption.”
On March 20, DACC officials said they made the largest seizure of domestic animals in the organization’s history, at Rock N’ Pawz, a Lake Hughes animal rescue. The initial estimate was approximately 700 animals — which was later revised to 250 dogs and 66 cats.
The animals did result in the county’s care facilities receiving a huge influx of animals that have to be cared for now through the trial process.
Christine De Anda, 57, has been charged with dozens of felonies in connection to the treatment of the animals at the Lake Hughes facility.
Animal care officers shared video after the raid that showed sickly looking animals crowded in cages.
When asked if any of the animals had to be euthanized following the seizure, Valles indicated that he could not comment on anything as a result of the ongoing investigation.
“We also cannot discuss specifics regarding the animals, as they are part of the evidentiary process. The animals currently in our care are receiving the appropriate treatment to support their health and well‑being,” he said.
Valles said there’s also been work with the county’s “animal welfare organization partners” in efforts to boost adoption efforts in response to the large number of animals received during the seizure.
“Since that time, we have continued to expand these efforts through ongoing social media campaigns, offsite adoption events, and additional adoption initiatives to support the many animals that enter our care each day,” Valles said.
Prosecutors filed 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, according to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office.
De Anda was also charged with violating multiple county codes with her facility, including 12 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; and one count of operating the kennel without a license.
A forfeiture hearing is scheduled for Oct. 13 in Dept. A-1 in the Antelope Valley Courthouse. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Nov. 2.
