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FUR COMMISSION USA PRESS RELEASE, APRIL 22, 2008
Oregon Mink Stolen and Abandoned; ALF Claims Guilt
(Updated Apr. 23, 2008.)
Trespassers broke into the Jefferson Fur Farm in Jefferson, Oregon on Monday, Apr. 21. On Apr. 22, the "masked avengers of the Animal Liberation Front" and "ALF-Cascadia" issued a press release admitting guilt for breaking and entering into the farm, run by the Posch family.
53 farm-raised mink were stolen and abandoned. All were quickly recovered and returned to their pens.
Breeding records were also destroyed, and the press release contained a threat to the farmers demanding they give up their livelihood.
On Apr. 23, Mrs. Posch was able to report that all the mink were resting comfortably. She expressed her thanks to the Marion County Sheriff's office and the FBI, now investigating the case. "They have been very helpful," she said, adding that she hoped the criminals responsible would be apprehended shortly.
She also expressed thanks to all the neighbors and friends who called, from as far away as Canada, to offer help, support and words of encouragement.
"Farmers around the country have been advised to double-check their security," stated Teresa Platt, executive director of Fur Commission USA, a non-profit trade association representing mink farmers in 28 states raising 3 million mink a year. According to the latest statistics from the US Department of Agriculture, 18 Oregon-based farms produced 254,400 mink pelts valued at over $12 million at auction in 2007.
Attacking producers of food and fiber is a violation of state and federal laws. If you have any information that may lead to the arrest of those responsible, call FBI Public Information Officer Beth Ann Steele at 503-224-4181 or your local FBI.
See also:
FCUSA press kit special feature: Safe Farms Campaign.
FCUSA chronology of animal extremist / ecoterror crimes.
Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act resources.
For further information contact: Teresa Platt, Executive Director, Fur Commission USA, PMB 506, 826 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118-2698 USA, (619) 575-0139, (619) 575-5578/fax, furfarmers@aol.com, www.furcommission.com.
To take a cyber-tour of a fur farm, visit Fur Commission USA's Fur on Film at http://www.furcommission.com/video/index.htm