LAKE HUGHES, Calif. () — Los Angeles County animal shelters are under stress and doing their best to make room for the sudden influx of more than 300 dogs and cats seized from a Lake Hughes home on Friday.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) opened all seven county shelters between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, encouraging pet adoptions to make space after the massive rescue operation. Normally, the shelters are closed on Sundays.
Eyewitness News watched as pet parents walked out of the Downey adoption center, cradling dogs in their arms. One family said they are ready to adopt after the death of a beloved family pet.
“After we lost her, it was heartbreaking. We lost a part of our family, and so, we waited a little while, and now we’re here. And with the Lake Hughes situation, we were just told that this is a good time, and we want to share love,” said Marianne Yamato.
“If you have the space, you might have the time — why not? There’s really no better time,” Mateo Yamato said.
On Friday, a search warrant for violation of animal welfare laws was served on 266th Street West around 7 a.m., according to DACC. More than 70 animal care and control staff responded to the rescue operation.
ORIGINAL REPORT: 300 dogs, cats being rescued after search warrant served at Lake Hughes property
Hundreds of cats and dogs were seized from a Lake Hughes property during a rescue operation.
In total, 316 animals were taken from the home, including 250 dogs and 66 cats that could soon go up for adoption. The pets were in the custody of Chris D’Anda of Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue.
However, a court order is needed before the pets can be adopted. For now, the pets in need of veterinary care are receiving the help they need.
The massive seizure followed numerous tips claiming the animals were living in inhumane conditions. So far, no charges have been filed.
Some of the animals were sent to veterinary hospitals for care, while others were sent to the county’s animal care centers and partner facilities.
D’Anda told Eyewitness News she rescues animals, and the dogs and cats at her home were not mistreated.
In posts on Instagram, Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue claimed it was receiving serious threats and that some dogs were injured by DACC during the raid.
“My animals were not a threat to anybody,” she said. “They were healthy. They were cared for.”
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But residents of homes in the area said there’s been a foul odor coming from the property for a couple of years.
“It’s been smelly, and whenever they go out to feed, I’m assuming that’s what they’re doing, it sounds like the world’s biggest dog fight,” Lake Hughes resident Dave Canfield said.
Another neighbor, Susan Zahanter, said the odor and lack of infrastructure had long been a problem.
“The odor is horrific. There’s no septic system on the property for the kennel. They have gone without dumpsters for months on end,” she said.
The department said it has received complaints for years. It wasn’t until recently that the department was able to obtain a warrant to go in and remove the animals.
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. They said a charity chartered a plane to fly about 27 dogs and several cats to agencies in the Pacific Northwest.
DACC is requesting the public’s help to support the rescue and rehabilitation of the animals — either through adoption or donations to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation.
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