TexasCHLforum.com

Several years ago to be considered grand theft felony in Texas you had to steal more than 10 head of sheep, swine or goats and more than 7 head of cattle. I don't know if the law is still this way or not. I never could understand this because grand theft was considered over $750 and one cow and no more than 2 cows depending on the market met this criteria.

While large ranch operations have cattle theft problems, it is more consigned to smaller operations where cattle are in smaller pastures and being around people more are gentler than large ranch cattle therefore being easier to gather and load. Many cattle on these places can be fed into a portable pen or trailer and then loaded and driven off with.

In a very short time(30 minutes or less) they can be loaded and on the way to New Mexico, Oklahoma or other states to be sold. Many times even the trailers to haul them are stolen and sold also.