by: Mike Miller
2/2/2017

Nothing is sacred when it comes to theft. From cemeteries and rail yards to Uncle Barney’s farm, thieves are out to take whatever they can. But when it comes to stealing cattle, the modern day thieves ain’t no rustlers!

Thomas Smith, a rancher in Alabama had 12 head of cattle stolen on two different occasions in September according to USA Today.

Did they bring their lassos and lead the cattle away? No way! They just ran the cattle up into the horse trailer from the catch pen.

Is the depressed economy or the increase in the price of beef that is causing an uptick in cattle theft?

Thefts are on the rise from the Beef Belt in Texas and Oklahoma to other beef producing states in the Midwest and South. These modern rustlers won't fit the typical Hollywood image of mounted desperados wearing 10-gallon hats with bandannas covering their faces.

Most of them use stock trailers pulled by pickups, or even 18-wheelers, to haul the animals away. They use four-wheelers or motorcycles to round them up, and then haul them to stock yards to sell.

Grown animals will sell for $2,000 to $2,500 a head on the market, depending on their age, condition and weight. Cows are valued at approximately $2,500 a head.

"They are sure enough pretty cows," he said. Half of the animals were pregnant at the time of the thefts. "I was glad to get them back."

Once again, there is nothing thieves won’t steal to make a dishonest buck. Perhaps there should be mandatory theft classes starting for all public school children in middle school. What do you think?