(Submitted photo/Alberta RCMP)

By Derek Craddock

CATTLE

Alberta RCMP charge two with fraudulent cattle purchases involving Saskatchewan animals

Sep 27, 2021 | 5:29 PM

Livestock Services of Saskatchewan was recently called to assist Alberta RCMP in an investigation into fraudulent cattle purchases.

RCMP started its investigation after the Livestock Investigation Unit received a report on Aug. 19 of fraudulent cattle purchases in the Town of Tofield, about an hour east of Edmonton.

On Sept. 2, Alberta RCMP Livestock Investigation Unit, with the assistance of Livestock Services of Saskatchewan, searched a property in Spiritwood where they seized two purebred Black Angus bulls.

Two weeks later, police recovered cattle that were the subject of alleged fraud by the same suspects in Thorsby, Alta., and Lloydminster, Sask. A total of 19 animals were seized and identified through registered livestock brands or registered pure-bred tattoos.

Shane and Shanon Hoff, from the town of Two Hills, Alta., have both been charged with Fraud Over $5,000 and are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 18.

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Investigators are encouraging all livestock owners to brand their cattle and horses as this is the primary means of ownership identification and in most cases, relied upon for successful prosecution.

The two accused are believed to have been involved in similar business transactions and as such, RCMP are asking anyone with information about similar incidents to contact the Alberta RCMP Livestock Investigations Unit at 403-598-6991 or your local police.

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Derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @PA_Craddock