Farmers to Improve Security Measures

The following article first appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal, August 10, 1999, and is reproduced here with permission.

Wisconsin Mink Farmers to Improve Security Measures after Vandalism

By Rick Barrett

Wisconsin mink farmers and research labs are stepping up security following vandalism at two mink ranches and a possible arson fire.

"It's scary because somebody is going to get hurt," said Jerry Krieger, co-owner of Krieger's Fur Farm in Bristol.

Monday [Aug. 9], a national activist group suggested it could be responsible for the release of 3,000 mink at a Plymouth mink farm, and a fire that resulted in $ 1.5 million in damages at a nearby feed mill.

Both events happened early Monday. The fire at United Feeds, which supplied the mink farm, destroyed most of the mill along Highway 67, fire officials said.

"If this is a deliberately-set fire, it is very possible that this is a follow-up action by the Animal Liberation Front," the organization said in a news release. "A fire like this, which follows a mink release, certainly has all the trademarks of traditional A.L.F.-type strategy."

The Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the release of about 2,400 mink at Krieger's Fur Farm on Aug. 2.

Activists said they destroyed the farm's breeding records, contributing greatly to the damage.

"There's no doubt they did a lot of harm," Krieger said Tuesday. "We are beefing up security with guard dogs and a night watchman. I will be out walking the farm twice a night."

Wisconsin leads the nation in mink production, and the Animal Liberation Front will continue to target Wisconsin farms in an effort to destroy the fur industry, said Craig Rosebrough, an organization spokesman from Portland, Oregon.

Rosebrough is in Madison this week as part of Animal Liberation Front protests at UW-Madison's primate research center.

Rosebrough said he wasn't involved in the mink releases or the feed mill fire, but said the fire was an example of "pure economic damage."

Activists break laws to release animals because desperate situations require desperate measures, Rosebrough said.

"By releasing mink from their cages, we at least give them some chance to live or die on their own terms," he said.

If activists set fires it is done with great care so that people aren't hurt, Rosebrough said.

But that's nonsense, said George Kalmon, president of the Wisconsin Mink Association.

In the past five years, activists have become more violent and dangerous, Kalmon said.

"Everybody's beefing up security systems, but you can't stop some of these people," he said. "The Animal Liberation Front is a shadowy organization which is completely underground. That's what makes it so dangerous."

Most of the mink released Monday morning were captured and returned by Monday afternoon.

See also:

Wisconsin State Representative Barbara Gronemus has introduced legislation that would increase the penalty for the unauthorized release of animals to a Class C felony and make the offender liable for damages and attorney fees. The bill has passed the Assembly and is awaiting Senate action. Click here to download the bill in PDF format.

Mink Break-In, Feed Mill Fire Reasons for More Punishment for Animal Rights Terrorists Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation press release; Aug. 12, 1999.

Animal-Use Abolitionists Continue 1999 Road Trip of Vandalism and Arson; Farmers Demand Action (HTML or PDF) FCUSA press release; Aug. 9, 1999.

Animal Rights Terrorists Vandalize Wisconsin Farm : 3,000 Domesticated Mink Released FCUSA press release; Aug. 3, 1999.

Stiffer Laws for Releasing Animals Sought From the Daily Press (Escanaba, Michigan). Reproduced with permission; July 20, 1999.

Engaging Political Will (HTML or PDF) Animal rights terrorism moves up FBI priority list; FCUSA commentary on animal rights / eco-terrorism; Mar. 4, 1999.

Congressional Testimony of FCUSA Executive Director Teresa Platt to the Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, Oversight Hearing on "Public and Private Resource Management And Protection Issues in the National Forest Systems" with particular reference to animal rights terrorism and eco-terrorism. (May, 1999)

Engaging Political Will Animal rights terrorism moves up FBI priority list. FCUSA commentary. Also available in PDF format. (March 1999)

Should Conflict Generation Be Rewarded by Non-Profit Benefits? Teresa Platt of FCUSA takes a look at the activites of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. (November 1997)

Report to Congress on the Extent and Effects of Domestic and International Terrorism on Animal Enterprises. Prepared by the Department of Justice. (September 1993)

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