By Fur Commission USA and the National Animal Interest Alliance. Contacts: Teresa Platt, FCUSA, (619) 575-0139; Patti Strand, National Animal Interest Alliance, (503) 761-8962.

Domesticated Mink Released in Michigan
From Vail, Colorado to Michigan, Animal Rights / Eco-Terrorist
Attacks Escalate

October 26, 1998: With the public still reeling from last week's $12 million animal rights / eco-arson fire in Vail, Colorado, animal rights extremists have struck again, this time terrorizing a Powers, Michigan fur farmer. Tom Pipkorn awoke this morning to discover, "Sometime between 3 a.m. and the 5 a.m. feeding, vandals cut a hole in the fence, trespassed on our land and released over 5,000 of our mink."

It was also particularly disturbing to Pipkorn to consider that his farm and family were most likely watched prior to the raid, that surveillance may even have been done by airplane. "It's time for the silent majority, whether in dairy or fur, recreation or whatever, to speak out against these people who are stalking us, invading our property and hurting our animals. They set my mink loose to be prey for dogs, to be killed by cars, thirst, starvation and stress."

Over 100 neighbors gathered at the Pipkorn Mink Ranch, helping recover about 4,500 animals. By evening, however, one mink had been killed by a dog and about 50 had been run over by cars.

"We'd like to thank the local trappers who brought their box traps and expertise, making the job easier for us to recover our animals," continued Tom. "We also had an overwhelming response from our neighbors. Many had never handled a mink but became pros at collecting mink very quickly. Our community was there when we and our animals needed them and we are grateful."

The attack on Pipkorn Mink Ranch marked the sixth fur farm release of 1998 and farmers are demanding action. Teresa Platt, executive director of Fur Commission USA, representing over 600 U.S.-based fur farms, stated, "After the financial magnitude of the attack on Vail Resorts, there cannot possibly be a law enforcement agent in this country who doesn't understand the seriousness of animal rights and eco-terrorism. This is domestic terrorism which is hitting small family farms, food producers, research scientists, and now it has escalated to the recreation industry. With so many victims complaining about these acts of terrorism and the risks now facing the millions of Americans who recreate in the great outdoors, we must generate the political will necessary to get government to make catching and prosecuting these criminals a top priority."

Platt learned about the raid on her way home from a conference in Portland, Oregon organized by the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), a non-profit educational animal welfare organization, that includes people involved in animal-based enterprises. On Sunday, October 25, NAIA had embraced a "Call to Action" against animal rights and eco-terrorism.

The document states, "WHEREAS the leadership of many animal rights organizations conspire to promote activity by their followers that violate national policy as it concerns public health (medical research), nutrition (abolition of milk and meat), wildlife management (disruption of hunting, fishing and trapping), commerce and trade (destruction of businesses engaged in interstate commerce), destruction of government property and the exportation of animal rights terrorism to foreign countries and WHEREAS many animal rights organizations, their leaders and followers routinely assemble and conspire to interfere with interstate commerce, business, public policy and government-approved programs via the use of force, extortion, coercion, threats, violence, arson and destruction of government property; (a violation of The Hobbs Act)., NOW THEREFORE, we respectfully request that the United States Senate Judiciary Committee:

1.) Direct the Department of Justice to establish a National joint task force, which includes the F.B.I., B.A.T.F. and I.R.S. to investigate, apprehend and prosecute individuals and animal rights organizations involved in the following:

a.) Conspiracy to prohibit and disrupt interstate commerce;
b.) Intentionally interfering with, and disrupting interstate commerce;
c.) Arson;
d.) Destruction of government property;
e.) Violations under The Hobbs Act;
f.) Conspiracy to violate public policy;
g.) Violations of 501-C-3 tax code."

The Call to Action also asks for the government to study and report to Congress on the impact of "domestic and international terrorism on enterprises using animals for food or fiber production, agriculture, research or testing, exhibition, entertainment or sport, including animal breeders and animal shelters."

A complete copy of this document can be found on the National Animal Interest Alliance website at www.naiaonline.org.

Patti Strand, a dog breeder from Portland, executive director of NAIA, and author of "The Hijacking of the Humane Movement," stated, "NAIA is urging its member groups to push our government to commit the resources required to protect our U.S. citizens who are in fear for their lives and property. The threats made over the Internet have escalated, the attacks are getting more and more fierce and we demand action by law enforcement and our politicians. We refuse to allow America to be turned into a playground for political terrorists who are using violence and threats to force political change."

Meanwhile, in Powers, Michigan, hundreds of domesticated mink are outside their cages for the first time in their lives and will be seeking food and shelter. Anyone seeing a lost mink should call Fur Commission USA at (619) 575-0139 as soon as possible.

More Resources

Report to Congress on the Extent and Effects of Domestic and International Terrorism on Animal Enterprises. Prepared by the US Dept. of Justice.

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