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Cow Rancher Arrested After Police Find 300 Dead Cows On His Properties, Some Stacked 10 Feet High
Some cows were found alive but they were in bad shape.
A rancher from coastal Humboldt County, California is accused of keeping hundreds of dead cows on his property, some of which were allegedly piled up ten feet high.
The ten-foot tall cow carcass piles were allegedly discovered after a five-month investigation into Raymond Frank Christie’s ranching methods. According to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, community members complained that there were “serious violations” taking place on Christie’s properties.
On Monday, police served the rancher search warrants for four different properties he owns. After doing so, “ personnel located approximately 250 to 300 deceased cows, some of which Christie had heaped into large piles approximately 10 feet high near an excavator; others were located laying in/near waterways.”
As for the cows that were found alive, police said many were malnourished and contained in “insufficient corrals.”
The alleged abuse wasn’t just towards cows. Police said that several dogs were also being kept in unsanitary conditions without water or enough space.
Christie, 54, was arrested for animal cruelty and improper disposal of carcasses charges. He was booked into county jail on $25,000 bail. It’s unclear if he has a lawyer at this time. He posted bail the same day, according to KRCR in Redding. His dogs have been given to a responsible party, and 179 of his cattle have been placed on hold for repossession by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Police say the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other organizations are expected to request additional charges.
[Photo: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office]
