Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement regarding today’s large-scale animal rescue operation in Lake Hughes, CA:
“This is a heartbreaking situation. I want to recognize the dedicated personnel from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, along with our partner agencies, who are working tirelessly today under extreme heat and challenging conditions to carry out a massive rescue operation in Lake Hughes.
Animals in urgent need of medical attention are being transported to veterinary hospitals for immediate care, while others are being safely relocated to Los Angeles County animal care centers and partner facilities, including sites in Kern County. Every step is being taken to ensure these animals receive the compassion and treatment they deserve.
It’s also important for the public to understand that the court plays a critical role in this process. A court order is required before these animals can be made available for adoption, and we will continue working closely with the judicial system to move that process forward as swiftly as possible.
To help create space for the incoming animals, Los Angeles County Animal Care Centers will be open this Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to encourage adoptions of animals currently in our care. This effort will help ensure we have the capacity to properly shelter and treat the animals being rescued, which will be placed across all seven of our County animal care centers.
I also want to acknowledge the critical support from the District Attorney’s Office that helped make today’s action possible. That urgency stands in stark contrast to prior inaction, when requests for accountability were repeatedly met with delays and charges were declined under former District Attorney George Gascón. Today’s operation shows what’s possible when agencies work together with urgency and resolve to protect vulnerable animals.
Our focus now must remain on supporting the care, recovery, and safe placement of these animals—and on ensuring accountability moving forward.”
Los Angeles County operates seven animal care centers located in Agoura, Baldwin Park, Carson/Gardena, Castaic, Downey, Lancaster, and Palmdale, all of which are playing a role in supporting this large-scale rescue effort and the ongoing care of animals in the County’s system.