The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is seeking information after approximately 125 head of sheep were stolen from a Crockett County ranch in West Texas.
A cash reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the recovery of the animals and arrest of the person or persons responsible for the crime. The total award includes up to $1,000 from Operation Cow Thief, an anti-theft initiative led by TSCRA, $1,000 from the victim and another $500 from Crockett County.
Sometime between March 14 and March 28, a thief or thieves cut a fence and made illegal entry onto a property off County Road 203. The suspects are thought to have gathered at least 125 Dorper sheep, including ewes, bucks, and lambs before loading them on a trailer for transport. Several of the ewes had red or blue ear tags printed with “Simms Ranch.”
Crockett County is the second largest sheep-producing county in the United States. Dorper sheep, known as the meat sheep for the modern producer, thrive in low rainfall areas due to their adaptability and hardiness. Dorpers are excellent converters of a wide range of forage types and they excel in grazing or weed control operations.The light hair coat sheds spontaneously, and is ideal for hot southwestern summers.
The case is being investigated by TSCRA Special Rangers. Anyone with information that could help identify the perpetrators should call TSCRA’s Operation Cow Thief hotline at (888) 830-2333 or Special Ranger Kenny Wadsworth at (325) 392-2552. All information is kept confidential and tips may be provided anonymously.
TSCRA has gained worldwide respect through the vigilance of its special rangers. With more than a century of law enforcement behind them, the special rangers remain the backbone of TSCRA. TSCRA maintains a staff of more than 25 special rangers stationed strategically in multiple-county districts throughout Texas and Oklahoma. The number of cattle, number of members, and the square miles of area involved determine the size of each district.
