700 Dogs And Cats Seized In Largest Animal Rescue Operation In U.S. History
Jesus!
The animals were allegedly being abused by a rescue group called Rock N Pawz, and a press release announcing the raid is below. Unless the rescue group had a full-time staff of dozens of people, there’s obviously no way 700 dogs and cats were being cared for humanely. Via DACC:
At 7 a.m. this morning (Friday, March 20) the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) served a search warrant in the 46000 block of 266th Street West in Lake Hughes, California, for violation of animal welfare laws. It is estimated there are 700 dogs and cats on the property that will be rescued.
The warrant was served with support from investigators from the Office of the District Attorney.
More than 70 animal care and control staff are on scene. DACC is assisted by mutual aid partners SPCALA, Pasadena Humane and Kern County Animal Services. Also present for other violations are representatives from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Public Health and Regional Planning.
This is the largest number of dogs and cats that DACC has ever seized and may be the largest case ever in the United States.
The animals are currently being triaged on site by veterinary medical staff. Those animals requiring emergency medical care will be immediately transported to veterinary hospitals. The others will be transported to DACC animal care centers for further evaluation and care.
The animals were in the custody of Christine De Anda of Rock N Pawz Animal Rescue.
UPDATE:
L.A. County has dramatically revised the number of animals taken from the property (see below), down to 316 dogs and cats. Still a crazy amount, but thankfully the shelters and hospitals aren’t being overwhelmed by that initial estimate of “over 700” animals.
