Target: Matt Wiebe, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Manitoba, Canada
Goal: Support effective investigations of alleged cattle theft and brand alteration, with welfare assessments and appropriate prosecution wherever offenses are established.
A stolen animal is a living being whose identity, movements, and care must be traced. Allegations of cattle theft, fraudulent transactions, and altered brands have prompted concern across rural communities. Manitoba has announced funding for a dedicated livestock investigator and support for an inspection initiative.
Effective enforcement should protect both animals and the people responsible for their care. Reliable identification, accessible reporting, and veterinary referrals can help investigators understand each case. Call for sustained support for the new position, proper scrutiny of welfare concerns, and independent prosecution of every substantiated livestock offense.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Wiebe,
Turn the funding allocated for investigation into recent reports of cattle theft into a resource. Allegations of cattle theft and altered identification can leave animals’ whereabouts and care uncertain. We ask that the initiative support tracing individual animals and assessing any evidence of harmful handling, rather than treating every case solely as a financial loss.
Ensure that officers have the resources to coordinate with other jurisdictions, inspect relevant records lawfully, and obtain specialist veterinary assistance when needed. Encourage clear reporting procedures for producers, transporters, and auction operators. Investigators should distinguish suspected fraud, branding violations, theft, and cruelty according to the evidence required for each. Publish staffing and implementation updates while protecting operational independence and confidential information.
Support the independent prosecution service in pursuing charges where the evidence and public interest justify them, without directing the outcome of individual cases. Penalties should reflect proven conduct, including any established harm to animals. Review the initiative’s effectiveness and address practical gaps identified by investigators and welfare professionals. Please ensure that this investment produces thorough investigations, clear responsibility, and meaningful legal consequences for substantiated offenses involving the animals it is intended to protect.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Joanne MacLeod Haverkort
