Cattle producers on the lookout for more than just cattle thieves

With rising costs this summer, cattle producers should be wary of others attempting to steal not only livestock, but feed supplies as well.

The warning adds another security job for ranchers across the county who have already seen a high level of cattle thefts this year.

A dispute over hay ownership ended with one Oklahoma cattleman in the hospital Tuesday when two men in Wagoner County argued over the ownership of hay bales on a third party's property. NewsOn6.com reports Donald Dickerson, 60, of Wagoner, was arrested for allegedly shooting an Okay, Okla., man who was taking hay from a neighboring property.

The man told Dickerson he had permission to take the two hay bales which had been baled earlier in the day. Family members and other witnesses saw the argument escalate to the point Dickerson shot the other man who brandished a shovel.

The man attempting to take the hay drove himself home before arriving at a local fire department to report the shooting. A medical helicopter then transported him to Tulsa.

Dickerson is held on $50,000 bond and was booked into Wagoner County Jail for allegedly shooting with intent to kill. The identity of the man shot, who remains in critical but stable condition, has not been released.

Sheriff Bob Colbert told NewsOn6.com this year’s dry conditions may make instances like this more common.

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