TSCRA offers 29 highly trained livestock theft investigators strategically
stationed throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Commissioned as Special
Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, these "field
inspectors" assist in recovering stolen livestock and
equipment and apprehending the thieves.
TSCRA Special Rangers are not only trained in all facets of
law enforcement, but are knowledgeable about the cattle
industry. They frequently provide educational programs on theft
prevention and proper branding procedures.
The law enforcement officers are aided in their efforts by 70
TSCRA market inspectors who identify 5 million to 6 million
cattle each year at more than 115 Texas livestock markets. They
report their findings to TSCRA’s Fort Worth headquarters,
where the information is entered into the largest centralized
and computerized brand recording and retrieval system in the
nation. Headquarters support staff distribute information on
missing/stolen livestock to more than 700 law enforcement
agencies nationwide.
The inspection program was authorized by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture through an act of Congress in 1942. All costs for
the program are paid by TSCRA.
