CA Man Arrested After Dead Cows Found Stacked 10 Feet High

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CA -- A Humboldt County rancher was arrested recently after authorities said hundreds of dead cows, some stacked 10 feet high, and starving animals were found on his properties. Raymond Frank Christie was arrested March 19 following a five-month investigation into complaints about animal cruelty happening on his properties, officials said.

After serving search warrants to four properties owned by Christie, authorities said they found 250 to 300 dead cows, malnourished cows and dogs, and bovine bones and carcasses in or near waterways.

Other violations found on Christie's properties included cannabis permit violations, improper or illegal disposal of biohazard waste, building code violations and violations of discharging sediment into state waterways, authorities said.

The live animals were taken into custody with authorities arranging care for them.

Christie, who faces several charges, was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility with bail set at $25,000.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding these cases or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445- 7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime tip line at 707-268- 2539.

--Booking photo via Humboldt County Sheriff's Office