Fur Commission Condemns Politically Motivated Terrorist Activities in Minnesota 

During the early morning hours of August 18, eco-terrorists cut the fence at the Mueller Brothers Mink Ranch in Pearl Lake, Minnesota, releasing over 2,500 domesticated mink. 

Over 50 neighbors joined the Muellers in helping return the animals to the safety of the farm. However as of the afternoon of August 19, just under 200 animals were still missing. 

"We are terribly worried about the last animals still out there in harm's way," stated Teresa Mueller Behrens, daughter of Richard Mueller, who owns the farm with his four sons. The Mueller family has been raising mink for over 45 years. "Our animals have been cared for by us from birth to death and will die in the wild," continued Teresa. "Close to a dozen have already been killed by dogs and cars."

Although animal "liberationists" who take credit for such crimes as this assume that the animals will "have had a taste of freedom" or live in a "natural way," they are wrong. 

"Natural" - that is, what is normal - for domestically raised animals is life on a farm, a life of food delivered, no predators, mating, birthing, weaning, living and dying under the care of humans. "Unnatural" for a domestically-raised mink is being driven into the wild, forced to search for food in foreign terrain, ripped to pieces by dogs and run over by cars. 

"We condemn the use of violence, intimidation and terrorist activities by anyone in the advancement of a cause or political goal, stated Teresa Platt, executive director of Fur Commission USA, which represents over 600 U.S.-based fur farmers. "These aggressive and illegal tactics are being used too often in the debate over how best to feed, clothe and shelter the world. Fur farmers are joining other resource providers in asking Congress to hold hearings on these illegal activities."

Anyone seeing a lost mink, please call (619) 575-0139.

© 1998-2008 Fur Commission USA