Cattle Rustling In The Northwest
I’m Susan Allen, an ex-brand inspector just posted an alert on the Open Range facebook page saying “cattle rustling is fast becoming an old crime with a new twist.” Stay tuned for the report. Last spring in the Pendleton area a rancher had 24 head of cattle stolen , apparently they were rounded up by horse and pushed into his own corral with a truck waiting nearby. He believes the thieves studied his routine because he checks his herd nearly every day. In an interview with a station KTVA in Bend Oregon brand inspector Rodger Huffman urged ranchers who are turning cattle out to pasture this time of year to watch their livestock closely, young calves are prey for thieves being easy to handle and unbranded until they are 60 to 90 days old. Most of the Northwest has experienced a mild winter meaning many cattle have wintered out and haven’t been gathered or accounted for. The upswing in cattle rustling is attributed to both poor economic times and the high cost of beef. Over the internet a stolen calf can be sold quickly, and transported out of state often within hours. If you believe that your livestock are missing and possibly stolen, you should immediately file a report with your local law enforcement and your states livestock inspection program and describe your missing animal in as much detail as possible. Note any distinctive markings your animal may have as well as other details of the loss. I know there’s a movement within the beefe industry to curtail branding but right now a good clear brand is the best return address.
