Logo courtesy of TSCRA
Fort Worth, Texas – Stolen livestock and ranch equipment worth more than $4.8 million were recovered or accounted for in 2009 by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association special rangers. The Fort Worth-based producer group was founded 133 years ago to fight the theft problem.
TSCRA currently has 29 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement. All are commissioned as special rangers by Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
In 2009, the special rangers investigated 1,022 cases in Texas and Oklahoma, primarily involving stray or stolen livestock. Working closely with federal, state and local law enforcement officers, the special rangers recovered or accounted for 3,918 head of cattle, 57 horses, 14 trailers, 24 saddles and 43 items of miscellaneous ranch property. The total market value of all recovered livestock and property reached $4,825,475.58. The average value of property recovered or accounted for each day was $13,220.
Offenders were given a total of 161 years of prison, state jail, deferred or suspended sentences and ordered to perform 824 hours of community service. In addition, the courts ordered those convicted to pay a total of $1,258,056 in restitution to the victims, $13,443 in fines and $20,046 in court costs.
TSCRA Director of Law Enforcement Larry Gray encouraged all cattle producers and owners of other livestock and farm and ranch equipment to take steps to protect themselves from theft. He invited them to contact their local TSCRA special ranger or the Fort Worth office at 800-242-7820 for theft prevention and brand information.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.
