From the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association:
MONTGOMERY— In light of the unfortunate calf butchering occurrences that have taken place on Lauderdale County cattle operations, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) urges state cattlemen and cattlewomen to remember the Cattle Theft Reward member benefit.
The ACA offers a Cattle Theft Reward program that awards $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone stealing or destroying cattle on ACA member property. In order to qualify for the reward program, the following conditions must be met:
– The owner of the stolen/destroyed cattle must be a member in good standing of the ACA.
– One or more of the ACA “No Trespassing” signs must have been posted on the farm at the time of the offense.
– Applications for the award must be filed with the ACA within 30 days after the final conviction for the person stealing or destroying the cattle. The Executive Committee of the ACA will consider the applications and its decision will be the final binding on all parties.
– The president of the county chapter in which the cattle were stolen must certify that all of these rules and regulations were complied with.
It is important to note that law enforcement officers, stockyard employees or owners, part owners or employees of the cattle stolen or destroyed are not eligible of the reward.
The ACA offers tips to its members that help deflect cattle rustling on Alabama farms. These tips include tattooing and branding cattle for the purpose of identification instead of relying solely on ear tagging, ensuring that the brand used is registered with the Stockyards & Brands Division of the Department of Agriculture and keeping detailed records on the type, description and number of cattle in each location. Other useful tips include locating loading pens away from highways, never keeping cattle penned overnight and varying the times of checking on or feeding cattle to keep employees, neighbors and others from noticing a pattern in daily routines.
To purchase a “No Trespassing” sign visit www.BamaBeef.org. For more information on the Cattle Theft Reward program call (334) 265-1867.