Cattle rustling on the rise in southern Alberta

Let's wrangle up a posse, pilgrim A crime from the Wild West is making a comeback as police investigate reports of stolen calves in southern Alberta. Chris Epp reports.

A crime of yesteryear has made an unfortunate return to the province as it appears thieves have been targeting newborn calves.

Since mid-February, 26 calves, some only days old, have gone missing from ranches in the area of Cardston, Picture Butte and the Kainai First Nation.

“This is an unusually large number,” said Corporal Curtis Peters of the RCMP. “Particularly for sort of an isolated area like that, 26 cows being taken in a relatively close proximity, that’s not very common.”

One rancher says 17 calves were removed from his property over a matter of weeks and there is no indication that wild animals were responsible. Police have located tire tracks and unlocked gates during their investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the thefts is asked to contact the RCMP southern Alberta livestock section at 403-420-4972 or anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers.