RCMP has filed charges against a 52-year-old individual following an inquiry into allegations of fraudulent cattle branding. The act of branding is commonly utilized to establish ownership of livestock. Livestock Services of Saskatchewan received a tip on July 6 regarding modified cattle brands at a farm located in the rural municipality of Martin, approximately 225 kilometers east of Regina, according to a news release issued by the RCMP on Wednesday.
Owen Third, the livestock investigator for Saskatchewan RCMP, collaborated with Moosomin RCMP officers and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan to examine 197 head of cattle at the farm. Upon investigation, it was revealed that 99 of the cattle had undergone alterations to their original brands, with a new brand fraudulently applied over the existing one. The remaining cattle were found to have been fraudulently branded with a completely new brand.
The accused individual is facing charges of altering a cattle brand and committing fraud exceeding $5,000. The first court appearance for the accused is scheduled for the upcoming month.