Local rancher accused of felony animal abuse to be arraigned on 35 charges

EUREKA, CA. (KIEM) – Seven felony counts of animal cruelty, and twenty eight counts of littering within range of state waterways – those are the charges one Arcata rancher is facing.

Raymond Frank Christie was arrested back in March after a large scale raid by local, state and federal agencies turned up hundreds of dead cows on his properties, with bones and carcasses piled up in ten foot high mounds, in and around state waterways.

Dogs were also found in dirty and cramped conditions and without water, and garbage and motor vehicle parts improperly disposed of.

The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office says Christie unlawfully deprived animals of necessary sustenance, and caused needless suffering.

Christie is due to be arraigned on June 29.