CANYON CITY A Grant County grand jury has indicted Peter R. Rawlins, 51, and his son, Austin Rawlins, 24, on 84 counts in connection with the Flag Prairie cattle abuse case.

The indictment, handed down March 13, accused the men of killing, injuring or failing to provide adequate care for cattle in January and March of this year.

The indictment charges each man with 11 counts of first-degree aggravated animal abuse, 11 counts of first-degree animal abuse, 11 counts of first-degree animal neglect and 51 counts of second-degree animal neglect.

The charges stem from an investigation that began in February, after Forest Service workers found two dead cows on public land in the Flag Prairie area, in the southeastern corner of Grant County.

The Grant County Sheriffs Office was called to look into the condition of other cattle left on the snow-covered range over the winter. A veterinarian assessing the condition found some of the animals in emaciated condition.

Last week, Sheriff Glenn Palmer served search warrants at Flag Prairie and at the Rawlins ranch south of Canyon City, seizing 51 head of cattle from the two locations. Snowmobile volunteers and area ranchers helped gather the cows and haul them out via the still snow-clogged and muddy forest roads.

Palmer said new information in the case indicated that a dozen cows have died, including seven on national forest land and two on private land. He said two may have been dead before winter. Three may have died in recent weeks.

The situation touched off a torrent of frustration in the local cattle industry in the county, with ranchers disheartened by the prospect of any producer mistreating livestock. Earlier this week, more than 50 ranchers turned out to donate hay to care for the impounded cows, which have been taken to an undisclosed site.

The two men were arrested March 7, booked and released. They are scheduled to appear in court March 29.

Peter R. Rawlins declined to comment after the arrest, but said in earlier interviews he felt the situation was exaggerated by some observers. He said the cows were owned by his son, and that last fall they discussed the plan to overwinter the herd at Flag Prairie and ferry feed to the animals as needed.