South Dakota brand inspection rules differ on each side of the Missouri River

You might think cattle rustlin’ disappeared with the days of the Old West, but it’s still happening in this modern day and age.

State Brand Inspector Kyle Rossow says cattle inspection requirements at sale barns are different depending on which side of the state you’re on.

Rossow says while livestock theft numbers aren’t necessarily increasing when compared to previous years, they are happening.

Rossow’s solution to the brand inspection differences?

Rossow encourages anyone who sees something suspicious in rural areas– especially at night– to contact local law enforcement.

Rossow lives east of Herried and works the livestock auction barns in Mobridge and Herried. He’s been a state brand inspector for about a decade.