Rangers Rounding Up Rustlers

To many Texans today, the talk of cattle thieves, rustlers, and rounding them up may sound like a scene from a John Wayne movie.  Unfortunately for modern day Texas ranchers, rustlers are still active. But the good news for Texas ranchers of today is that they still have good guys to ride to their aid. 

In 2012, more than $4.4 million in stolen livestock and ranch equipment was recovered by the

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Rangers. The 10,400 head of cattle and horses recovered by the rangers in 2012 was up from 7,600 in 2011. The bad guys may be busy, but they’re not without pursuit.

With a focus on Texas and Oklahoma, the TSCRA Special Rangers report convicted thieves received 279 years of prison or other legal punishment while coughing up more than $3.8 million in restitution, fines and court costs. The costs associated with investigations, rangers’ salaries and pursuits are paid not by taxpayers, but rather by the cattle industry themselves through fees and membership dues.

While TSCRA Special Rangers stand ready to help fight crime, ranchers are reminded to brand their cattle, lock gates and mark trailers and other equipment with a driver’s license number or other means of identification to deter thieves and aid in recovery.

We all miss John Wayne, of course, but it’s good to know the TSCRA Special Rangers are still doling out professional justice.