Cattle rustling is a more common occurrence in Texas. Ranger Troy McKinney is currently tracking 10 cases of stolen or missing cattle in north Texas counties as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
There were three times as many cattle thefts reported in 2008 compared to a year earlier and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assn. says that rate is on track to increase again this year. The recession is a major driver of the increase in thefts.
Cattle, unlike other stolen goods such as cars and electronics, can be resold at market value. McKinney’s biggest case includes 122 prime black Angus cattle worth more than $100,000.
Read more about McKinney’s experience with cattle rustlers.
Source: Los Angeles Times