Scores of Freed Mink Feed on Farm Animals (Update)

AP ^ | Fri, Aug 29, 2003

[presidio9]

Days after 10,000 mink were released from a farm in southern Snohomish County, hundreds of the animals not yet captured have converged on local farms in search of food.

The animals had killed at least 25 exotic birds and attacked other livestock in the area.

"Over half our livestock was shredded. Murdered. Eaten alive," said Jeff Weaver, who discovered the dead birds on his farm Thursday. "These are not like regular farm animals. They're our pets."

Weaver, who breeds Indian Runner ducks and Banny chickens, said his field was full of the animals Thursday morning.

"One of the mink had part of a chicken in its mouth and was headed for the creek," he said. "They're starving. They'll kill anything in their path."

The mink also killed Weaver's geese, chicken and ducks, as well as wounded a dog and ate a 50-pound bag of bird feed. With an estimated loss of $2,000, he said he plans to improve fences, set traps and, if necessary, use a shotgun to fend off future assaults.

Diane and Joe Sallee are sealing their chickens in at night after they found the mink had killed six hens and injured several other that had to be euthanized.

"This has just devastated our chicken population. We are just so upset by this," Diane Sallee said. "The people who do these things don't think it through."

Animal activists argue that while the farm animals' deaths are unfortunate, it proves minks raised in captivity can survive in the wild.

"The amount of suffering that has been prevented by releasing them from cramped cages and freeing them from an extremely cruel death more than justifies a temporary disruption to the ecosystem," said veterinarian Andrew Knight, director of research at the Seattle-based Northwest Animal Rights Network.

Owners of the mink farm from which the animals were released estimate about 80 percent of the animals have been captured, leaving more than 1,000 unaccounted for, said Teresa Platt, executive director of Fur Commission USA. The commission is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible.

The FBI (news - web sites), which is leading the investigation, suspects an out-of-state group is responsible for the mink release at the Roesler Brothers Fur Farm off U.S. Highway 2.

The Animal Liberation Front, considered a domestic terrorist group by the FBI, has claimed responsibility.

Weaver argues that the group that released the animals didn't think of the repercussions.

"I'm not into anyone running around with fur coats on," he said. "But you cannot let 10,000 semicarnivorous animals out without having serious consequences."

[Restorer]

Semicarnivorous?

I seriously doubt there is any animal more carnivorous than a mink.

People are semicarnivorous.

[Sunshine Sister]

I wonder, with all the other stuff that the FBI is involved with, if the criminals will ever be caught?

[Gringo1]

"Animal activists argue that while the farm animals' deaths are unfortunate, it proves minks raised in captivity can survive in the wild. "


ummm, if they are eating farm animals, they are not surviving "in the wild" you idiots.

[Moose4]

"The amount of suffering that has been prevented by releasing them from cramped cages and freeing them from an extremely cruel death more than justifies a temporary disruption to the ecosystem," said veterinarian Andrew Knight, director of research at the Seattle-based Northwest Animal Rights Network.

Some animals are more equal than others, Comrade Knight?

}:-)4

[presidio9]

I wonder, with all the other stuff that the FBI is involved with, if the criminals will ever be caught?

Call these people what they are: Terrorists, not criminals.

[Budge]

Animal activists argue that while the farm animals' deaths are unfortunate, it proves minks raised in captivity can survive in the wild.

Of course it "proves mink raised in captivity can survive in the wild" you imbecile.

The animals they caught were penned up prey!

[dljordan]

Mink are NASTY, like weasels. They will attack anything they think they can bring down.

[Servant of the Nine]

The Animal Liberation Front, considered a domestic terrorist group by the FBI, has claimed responsibility.

Good. Under the Patriot Act that makes membership punishable by Life without parole.

So9

[ClearCase_guy]

I think we should drill for oil in the ANWR. Worst case scenario, it would just be "a temporary disruption to the ecosystem" -- and the Greens seem to think those are OK.

[dc27]

"justifies a temporary disruption to the ecosystem"

These idiots logic always amazes me. I thought every animal is sacred?

[Myrddin]

The animal activists should be locked in a barn with hundreds of starving mink. The consequences would be fully justified.

[Texan5]

Killing tame farm animals is not "surviving in the wild", and mink are vicious little rodents. I hope these jagoffs get apprehended, fined, then SUED by these farmers for the damage they have caused.

[elbucko]

Weaver argues that the group that released the animals didn't think of the repercussions.

Another prime example of "Unintended Consequences" and a lesson on the value of open and public debate. Terrorists, at any level, operate in their own vacuum of ignorance. More suffering is the result, not less.

[Sunshine Sister]

You have a point. Terrorists they are!

[djf]

This is a local story. Seems the little buggers are worth 50 bux a piece. Damn! I wonder, do you have to grow them in refrigerated type quarters to make their fur grow better? Seatte's not overly cold.

[Budge]

"The amount of suffering that has been prevented by releasing them from cramped cages and freeing them from an extremely cruel death more than justifies a temporary disruption to the ecosystem," said veterinarian Andrew Knight, director of research at the Seattle-based Northwest Animal Rights Network.

What about the "suffering" of these blood-thirsty pets, jackass?

Oh, let me guess --- because the prey were pets, they felt no pain, right?

Anyone want to wager that this veterinarian is not a democRAT?

[thegreatbeast]

"Animal activists argue that while the farm animals' deaths are unfortunate, it proves minks raised in captivity can survive in the wild."
Arseholes!

[StriperSniper]

The commission is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible.

How much do you get for dropping their bloody corpses on the doorstep? ;-)

[rmmcdaniell]

Anyone want to wager that this veterinarian is not a democRAT?

I'll wager he voted for Nader.