A 52-year-old man has been charged by the RCMP following an investigation into allegations of fraudulent cattle branding. Livestock branding is commonly used to establish ownership of animals. The incident came to light on July 6 when Livestock Services of Saskatchewan received a report regarding altered cattle brands at a farm in the rural municipality of Martin, located approximately 225 kilometers east of Regina. Owen Third, an investigator specializing in livestock for the Saskatchewan RCMP, collaborated with officers from the Moosomin RCMP and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan to examine 197 head of cattle on the farm.
According to RCMP, upon inspection, it was discovered that 99 cattle had modified brands placed over the original ones, while the rest of the cattle were fraudulently branded with a new mark. The accused individual faces charges including altering a cattle brand and fraud exceeding $5,000. A court appearance for the accused is scheduled for next month.