Man Charged in Cattle Branding Fraud Case

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 was brought 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, the livestock investigator for the Saskatchewan RCMP, collaborated with Moosomin RCMP officers and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan to examine 197 cattle at the farm. Upon inspection, it was discovered that 99 of the cattle had altered brands placed over the original ones, while the rest had been fraudulently branded with a new mark. The accused individual faces charges of altering a cattle brand and committing fraud exceeding $5,000. He is set to appear in court for the first time next month.