The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and McPherson County Sheriff’s Office are investigation several thefts that have resulted in 111 missing cattle in an area just outside of Aberdeen.
According to a release, four different producers have reported lost or stolen animals in the last two months.
On Oct. 29, Bruce Mack reported 46 head of cows and calves missing from a pasture. However, according to Tri-State Livestock News, there were significantly more cattle in the pasture. The cows are branded with the owners’ brands. The calves however are not branded but have white ear tags.
On Nov. 5, Ron and Tater Hins reported 22 missing yearling steers. The animals are branded with their brand. On the same day, Delbert Leonhardt reported missing 39 head of cows and calves. The cows are hereford and angus and the calves are crossbread, according to Tri-State Livestock News. It is not clear if the calves are branded.
On Nov. 27, one more producer, Jason Hammrich, said he was missing three black angus cows.
McPherson County had cattle thefts reported in 2016 and 2017 as well. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office at 605-439-3400 or email the sheriff at mcphersonso@valleytel.net.