A 52-year-old man has been charged by the RCMP following an investigation into allegations of fraudulent branding of cattle. Branding is commonly used to establish ownership of livestock. The investigation was prompted by a tip received by Livestock Services of Saskatchewan on July 6 regarding altered cattle brands at a farm in the rural municipality of Martin, located about 225 kilometers east of Regina.

Owen Third, the livestock investigator for Saskatchewan RCMP, collaborated with officers from the Moosomin RCMP and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan to examine 197 head of cattle on the farm. Upon inspection, it was found that 99 of the cattle had altered brands overlaid on the original brand, while the rest had been fraudulently branded with a new mark.

The accused individual faces charges of altering a cattle brand and fraud exceeding $5,000. His initial court appearance is scheduled for next month.