(Photo by Mariana Dale-KJZZ)

The Arizona Court Appeals has ruled on a dispute between an Arizona rancher and a California cattle company that use identical cattle brands. 

In a 2-1 decision, the court said the Arizona Department of Agriculture did not break state law when it allowed a California ranching company to register a cattle brand already owned by Eloy rancher David Stambaugh. 

The department allowed the use of the Bar 7 brand by the Eureka Springs Cattle Co., as long as it branded its cattle on the left rib. Stambaugh uses his longtime brand on the left hip of his cows. He sued the state department of agriculture. 

Two judges on the Court of Appeals panel said the department has discretion to issue identical brands if they are placed on a different location. 

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)