Family charged with animal cruelty

DENVER, N.C. -- Animal cruelty charges have been filed against three members of a Lincoln County family.

Nearly 400 pets including dogs, cats, ducks and horses were seized from their home last week.

Authorities say more charges are likely and the current charges represent the worst of the worst when it comes to some animals’ conditions.

The nine cruelty to animals charges are for a combination of nine cats, dogs and horses taken from the Rauch family property that are still in such bad shape they require 24/7 care at animal hospitals.

More images of the rescued animals

"That doesn't mean the number over nine is OK because they are not," said Lincoln County Animal Services Director Jack Kerley. "We've got a lot of animals here that are sick and need attention."

But Kerley says the animals are getting better daily.

"We might see a tail wagging today that we didn't see yesterday," he said.

It's been a week and a half since the county seized them. Investigators say unhealthy conditions and lack of food warranted it.

Pictures taken during the raid show conditions at the Rauch home -- animals everywhere, some stacked in cages on top of one another. It prompted the Department of Social Services to remove two of the Rauch's children.

A judge has yet decide the animals' fate or the Rauch family's fate if found guilty.

Given what he's seen, Kerley says Vicki Rauch shouldn't be allowed to own animals again.

Vicki, husband Michael Rauch and son Brandon Olsen are due in court Monday morning. All have nine cruelty charges against them.

Vicki told NewsChannel 36 she expected to be arrested and charged, but says she was rescuing animals no one else wanted.

"To have that many animals here alive, how could that be neglected?” Vicki Rauch said.

The Animal Humane Society’s last day of caring for the animals is Sept. 9. After that care will be left up to the county, volunteers and donations.