LAKE HUGHES, Calif. () — The pet rescue organization at the center of a massive animal seizure in Lake Hughes on Friday is speaking out and providing new details.
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.
A search warrant for violation of animal welfare laws was served on 266th Street West around 7 a.m., DACC said.
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.
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.
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.
D’Anda said the raid at her home was unnecessary and wants the animals returned to her care.
“My animals were not a threat to anybody,” she said. “They were healthy. They were cared for.”
The department responded to tips alleging that hundreds of dogs and cats were living in inhumane conditions.
“The animals were cleaned every day,” D’Anda said. “The animals were rotated out into yards every single day. Every single dog is happy.”
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.
“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,” D’Anda said.
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. They said a charity chartered a plane to fly about 27 dogs and several cats to agencies in the Pacific Northwest.
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.
“DACC is working with adoption partner rescue groups and other animal welfare agencies to transfer currently adoptable dogs and cats so that there is enough room to admit the rescued animals,” the agency said.
Marcia Mayeda, the director of 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.
“We have seven animal care centers in the county. Five are taking in animals from this situation, and there they will be examined more thoroughly by veterinarians and medical staff, given any treatments they need, vaccinations, and any sort of attention that they may need,” Mayeda said.
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