RCMP officials have arrested a 52-year-old individual following an inquiry into allegations of fraudulent branding of cattle. Branding is a common method used to establish ownership of livestock. Livestock Services of Saskatchewan received a tip on July 6 regarding altered cattle brands at a farm located in the rural municipality of Martin, approximately 225 kilometers east of Regina, as stated in an RCMP news release on Wednesday.
Owen Third, the livestock investigator for Saskatchewan RCMP, collaborated with Moosomin RCMP officers and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan to examine 197 cattle at the farm. Upon investigation, it was revealed that 99 of the cattle had an altered brand placed over the original one, while the remaining cattle had been fraudulently branded with a new mark. The accused individual faces charges of altering cattle brands and fraud exceeding $5,000, with a court appearance scheduled for next month.
